Hearing loss decisions — 2006

The veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which he claims are related to in-service noise exposure. The case is being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining VA medical records and a VA audiology examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding noise exposure in service and missing medical records.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his military service, specifically the bronchopneumonia he experienced during service and the elevated puretone thresholds recorded in September 1961. The decision concluded that there is no nexus between the veteran's current condition and his service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current hearing loss is not related to noise exposure during active military service.

The Board found that the veteran's preexisting right ear hearing loss did not increase in severity during service and denied his claim for service connection. The left ear hearing loss was not shown to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and bilateral tinnitus are service-connected, based on in-service noise exposure and continuity of treatment post-service.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is manifested by Level I hearing acuity in both ears, and does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the case for obtaining VA treatment records from Temple and Dallas facilities regarding the veteran's hearing loss in his left ear. The claim will be reconsidered based on all evidence.

Service connection for tinnitus was granted with an effective date of June 28, 2000.,A 10 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted with an effective date of September 9, 2002.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been denied as his current level of hearing acuity does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss was not present during service or for years thereafter, and concluded that there is no causal link between his hearing loss and any remote incident of service. As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder. The veteran was not provided with a Statement of the Case (SOC) regarding his PTSD claim, which is necessary before further appellate consideration.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to inadequate examination in the original decision. A new VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records from Fort McClellan and Little Rock VA Medical Center.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and providing the veteran with proper VCAA notice.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, dizziness, impairment of vision, and hypertension due to undiagnosed illness. The veteran's tinnitus was assigned a 10% disability rating.

The veteran does not have current left ear hearing loss for VA purposes, and therefore service connection is denied.