Hearing loss decisions — 2006

The veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues on appeal, including service connection claims and evaluations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss of the right ear did not begin during his military service and is not related to any in-service noise exposure. As a result, the claim for service connection for hearing loss of the right ear is denied.

The veteran's hearing loss is currently rated at 20 percent, and a higher rating is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant an initial compensable evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and assigned a 10 percent disability rating for tinnitus, finding that the veteran's current hearing loss is related to his military service.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board found no evidence of a hearing loss disability during the veteran's active military service or for many years thereafter, and concluded that his current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and assigned a 10 percent evaluation. The issue of an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for glaucoma of the right eye remains on appeal.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not begin during service or as a consequence of activities performed during active service. The veteran's current knee disability is not presumed to have been incurred in service, nor is it due to an already service-connected condition. Service connection for these conditions is denied.

The veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating prior to February 17, 2005, and a higher than 10 percent rating thereafter was denied. The evidence did not meet the criteria for any of the assigned hearing impairment levels.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of lipomas due to insufficient development of evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss, finding that his current bilateral hearing loss is not etiologically related to in-service acoustic trauma and more likely due to occupational noise exposure.

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound is remanded due to a lack of recent VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current right knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, or tinnitus. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was present as of February 12, 2004 and grants an effective date of that day for a 30% rating.

The Board found that the reduction in the rating for the appellant's service-connected bilateral hearing loss from 80 percent to 30 percent was not proper, as it did not meet the procedural requirements and evidence of improvement warranted a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have hearing loss that is currently present and meets VA criteria for a disability. Therefore, service connection for hearing loss cannot be granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, and thus denied his claim.

The veteran's appeal seeking service connection for a right heel disability has been dismissed as the veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before deciding the claims on the merits.