Hearing loss decisions — 2006

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and need for further VA examination.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating, as his audiometric test results correspond to Level I in both ears.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss and PTSD due to new evidence received since the last decision in August 2004. A new C&P examination is needed for both conditions.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated at 20 percent since December 7, 1999. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure leading to current disabilities. The VA examiner found no connection between the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus and his naval service.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss was first diagnosed during active duty for training and is considered a chronic disease. The Board finds that the veteran has established service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection and a compensable rating for his hearing loss, as well as his claim for service connection for psychiatric disability. The RO was instructed to schedule the veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any currently present psychiatric disorder.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the current condition and his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and residuals of a left wrist injury, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's left ear hearing loss is rated at 10 percent prior to August 30, 2002 and the RO has determined that a higher rating is not warranted for this period. The RO also confirmed the non-compensable rating for the right ear prior to August 30, 2002.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not warrant a higher rating prior to June 6, 2003 and assigned him a 10 percent rating thereafter.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence does not warrant a higher rating at any point during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hearing loss or headaches related to his period of service and denied all claims.

The Board has ordered the RO to obtain missing service medical records and any other pertinent evidence. The veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus will be reconsidered based on this additional information.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 24, 2004 for service connection for tinnitus and hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension and bilateral hearing loss were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during his military service. The claim for service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for additional development, including providing proper notice and scheduling a VA examination.

The veteran's appeal is dismissed due to the death of the appellant.