Hearing loss decisions — 2006

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for numbness of the extremities, PTSD with depression, peptic ulcer disease, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral tinnitus. The appeal regarding these issues is dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a hysterectomy and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings for various disabilities have been denied. The RO has granted service connection, but not the requested increased ratings or earlier effective dates.

The veteran's appeal in the matter of his hearing loss disability has been dismissed. The claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied as there is no question of law or fact remaining before the Board.

The veteran's death was not the result of his own willful misconduct, and he had a combined schedular disability evaluation of 80% due to service-connected disabilities. However, he did not have a total disability rating for 10 years prior to his death, nor was he entitled to a total disability based on individual unemployability for 10 years prior to his death.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), were denied. The veteran was previously diagnosed with PTSD but the claim is considered new and material due to additional evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, a psychiatric disorder, and a thoracic spine disorder are denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his period of active duty.

The veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current extent of his hearing loss.

The Board granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and remanded the right ear hearing loss claim. The veteran's PTSD claim was denied due to lack of a verified in-service stressor.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is due to noise exposure during service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete medical records and a need for further examination.

The veteran's claim for an initial increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for proper notice and assistance in substantiating his claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The veteran served in active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA in the Army National Guard, which is considered active military service. His audiometric test results show an upward trend during his service period, indicating potential noise-induced hearing impairment. Service connection has been granted for bilateral hearing loss as a result of acoustic trauma sustained while serving in the Army National Guard.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a clarifying opinion on the etiology of his hearing loss after review of the claims file and the veteran's service medical records.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, as his current disability level does not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining medical records. The veteran's claims for service connection for his mental health conditions are pending.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss did not warrant an initial compensable evaluation prior to May 14, 2005, and did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent from May 14, 2005.