Hearing loss decisions — 2006

The Board denied entitlement to earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for tinnitus and hearing loss, finding that no earlier unadjudicated formal or informal claims were received.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD and depression, were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left ear hearing loss disability does not warrant a compensable rating, resulting in a denial of his claim for an initial compensable disability rating.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's chest pain, coronary artery diseases (CAD), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and cholestoma with right ear hearing loss to his active service. As such, the claims for these conditions are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and intermittent right-sided head pain, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus and hearing loss were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during service or for many years thereafter. The veteran's current tinnitus was noted to have onset around the 1990s.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence is not sufficient to reopen the veteran's previously denied claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the claim for service connection for a left ear hearing loss is granted.

The Board has determined that the preponderance of the evidence is against service connection for all claimed conditions.

The Board denied all claims for service connection as there was no evidence of a right kidney injury, cardiac disability, hearing loss and tinnitus, or nose injury during active duty. The veteran's post-service medical records do not show these conditions were incurred in service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss as it is proximately due to tinnitus, which is already service connected.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations for left ear hearing loss and perforated right tympanic membrane, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate VCAA notice.

The VA determined that the veteran's hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating, as his current hearing levels do not meet the criteria for such under the applicable VA disability evaluation guidelines.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for fibromyalgia, vertigo, otitis externa in the right ear, diabetes mellitus type II, primary open angle glaucoma, bilateral hearing loss, and PTSD. The appeals were all denied as there was no credible evidence linking these conditions to service.

The VA has granted an increased disability evaluation of 20 percent for the veteran's bilateral hearing loss, effective October 28, 2004.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 20 percent for the veteran's bilateral hearing loss, effective October 28, 2004.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right ear hearing loss and chronic lumbar strain with PTSD, preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss is not attributable to active military service and denied his claim for service connection.