Hearing loss decisions — 2006

The Board found that the veteran did not have a hearing loss disability at any time during service or within one year afterward, and there was no evidence establishing an etiological relationship between his current bilateral hearing loss and service. As such, the claim for service connection for hearing loss was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss prior to June 10, 1999, as the evidence did not show a level of impairment warranting such a rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD prior to April 5, 2004, and to a rating in excess of 50 percent thereafter; entitlement to an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to November 13, 2000, and to a rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter; and service connection for carcinoma of the nasopharynx and sphenoid bone due to herbicide exposure. The veteran's claims were denied as there was no evidence linking his current conditions to military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for higher SMC ratings and an earlier effective date, finding that he did not meet the criteria for a higher level of care or aid and attendance based on his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran is seeking higher disability ratings for his service-connected PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and back injuries. The RO has remanded the case to obtain additional evidence from Social Security Administration records.

The veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss, and there is no legal basis for separate 10 percent evaluations for bilateral tinnitus.

The veteran's cervical spine disorder and hearing loss were not shown to be related to service. The residuals of a head injury claim was also denied.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss did not warrant a higher disability rating, as it was at most Level II in both ears.

The veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability was denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for a contusion of the right lower leg and bilateral hearing loss. As such, these claims are denied.

The Board found that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not attributable to his military service, as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after service. The VA audiologist concluded that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus were not due to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need for a VA examination and further review of the veteran's claims.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a right eye injury and hearing loss in the right ear, finding no competent medical evidence associating these conditions to military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a skin condition, and peripheral neuropathy as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions and they are not related to service or presumed exposure to herbicides.

The RO granted a TDIU effective October 10, 1996 based on the veteran's combined rating of 70% due to his service-connected disabilities. However, an earlier effective date is denied as the veteran did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU prior to this date.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was denied. He is currently receiving a maximum noncompensable rating for both conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss and denied his claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder due to lack of evidence supporting these claims.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a right shoulder disability, rib disability, or right ear hearing loss disability. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.