Hearing loss decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current hearing loss or tinnitus, and there is no evidence of a right knee disability related to service. Therefore, the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and right knee disability are denied.

The Board found that the veteran's current hearing loss, tinnitus, and lung condition were not caused by his active military service from October 1962 to October 1964. Therefore, service connection for these conditions was denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to inconsistencies in the speech recognition scores and a need for further audiometric testing.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a bilateral hearing loss for VA compensation purposes attributable to his military service.

The veteran's appeal for increased ratings for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no legal basis to assign a schedular evaluation in excess of the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 6260.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The claims to reopen the service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, cold injury to the upper and lower extremities, shell fragment wound of the right knee, and PTSD were also denied as new and material evidence had not been received.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for right tympanic membrane perforation and bilateral hearing loss, finding that he was already receiving the maximum schedular evaluations.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the veteran's right brachial plexus injury (major) and has also granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome.

The VA has determined that the veteran's hearing loss of the left ear does not warrant an increased disability evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and a gastrointestinal disorder, finding no evidence of such conditions in service or within one year post-service. The Board also found that any current GI disorder is not related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed vertigo and loss of balance are not related to service or any service-connected conditions, and thus denied his claims for service connection. His bilateral hearing loss is already assigned a maximum schedular evaluation, and therefore he cannot be granted an increased rating.

The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the veteran's claims for higher disability ratings. The veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability as defined by VA compensation standards, and his cervical spine disability has been rated appropriately based on the severity of symptoms prior to March 26, 2004 and since that date.

The Board found no evidence of a current hearing loss disability or tinnitus, and the only competent medical opinion stated that the veteran's tinnitus is not related to service. Therefore, both claims for service connection were denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a videoconference hearing. The issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected. The decision on left ear hearing loss is pending further development.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and gout of the feet. The claim for gout of the feet was denied as there is no evidence linking it to active military service.

The veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The veteran's appeal was denied as there is no legal basis for the assignment of a schedular evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus since December 10, 2001. The issue of entitlement to compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss must be remanded.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.