Hearing loss decisions — 2006

The veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Board has determined that a VA examination and additional medical records are needed to properly adjudicate these claims.

The Board found that the veteran's left ear hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, nor are they related to in-service noise exposure. As a result, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus are related to service, and therefore grants service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his active service, but his tinnitus had its onset during service and is therefore service-connected.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction, but has found that there is not enough evidence to support his claims of right ear hearing loss and loss of peripheral vision.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a personal hearing. The RO should schedule the appellant for a Board hearing at the RO, either a Travel Board or video conference hearing.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new audiometric evaluation to determine the severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and retaining employment consistent with his abilities, aptitudes, and interests; he does not have an employment handicap.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of his service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied service connection for tinnitus. The veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease, left knee arthrotomy residuals, and right knee disability are each rated at the maximum schedular rating of 20 percent. The veteran's right wrist injury is currently evaluated as a non-compensable disability.

The veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as the medical evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Board found no current disabilities for the low back, right knee, or right ankle. The hearing loss was within normal limits. Service connection is denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosed disability in service and no medical nexus to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, warranting service connection.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The veteran's dermatophytosis/dermatitis was granted a 30% rating.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development due to procedural issues and to obtain updated evidence regarding his exposure to herbicides and hearing loss.

The Board found that no new and material evidence had been received to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, as the existing evidence did not establish a current disability of bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for high frequency hearing loss and denied a compensable rating for residuals of a right eyebrow laceration.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability and insufficient medical opinion to establish a link between in-service noise exposure and his current condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and an increased rating for chronic lumbar strain. The veteran is not entitled to these benefits.

The Board found that the veteran's left ear hearing loss and right ear hearing loss were not incurred or aggravated by service, while his tinnitus was not caused by or aggravated by service. The claim for service connection is denied.