Hearing loss decisions — 2006

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to January 23, 2006 and a 50 percent rating from January 23, 2006. The veteran's claim for increased ratings for tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent has been assigned.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board has determined that the initial, noncompensable rating currently assigned for a bilateral ear hearing loss is proper and that the criteria for a higher rating have not been met.

The Board has determined that an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for hearing loss is not warranted, as the claim was received on August 9, 2004.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss during service and concluded that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's perforation of the cecum residuals do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, and his bilateral hearing loss does not warrant an increased rating. As such, the appeals are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the hands, arms, and feet on a presumptive basis due to active military service. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, poor blood circulation, and numbness of the hands, arms, and feet is denied.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected hypertension and bilateral hearing loss were denied as he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination, and the evidence did not support higher ratings.

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

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a rating in excess of 20 percent for low back disability are denied. The Board found that the veteran did not have a pre-existing left ear hearing loss disability, and his right ear hearing loss is not related to service. For the low back disability, there was no evidence of ankylosing spondylitis during service or in the first post-service year, and the current condition does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes and therefore denied his claim of service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to noise exposure during his service. The claim for hepatitis C is remanded due to unclear etiology.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection and increased ratings for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus. The issues are now referred to the RO for further action.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities are not proximately due to VA carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault on the part of VA. The appeals for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 have been denied.

The Board denied a claim for an increased rating for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, finding that the most recent examination results did not support a higher rating than the initial 10 percent assigned in May 2002.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, but he received a grant of a higher rating for PTSD prior to April 14, 2004. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD after that date remains pending.,A disability rating in excess of 10 percent is granted for PTSD from April 14, 2004 onwards.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's military service. The right knee disability remains on appeal.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current hearing loss disability is not related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.