Hearing loss decisions — 2006

The veteran's claim for increased ratings was denied. The RO found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, separate evaluations of 10 percent for scars on the right leg and lateral leg extending onto the buttock, or an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for postoperative residuals of right femur fracture with hip disability and shortening of the leg.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that he was already receiving the maximum disability rating available under the applicable regulations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an increased evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss. The veteran was granted a 20% rating for his hearing loss effective from April 9, 2004.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current hearing loss and cardiovascular disorders are related to his service-connected rheumatic fever, which is presumed due to exposure during active duty.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for arthritis, an ear disorder (including nasopharyngitis and right septal deflection), and bilateral hearing loss. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not attributable to service and was not manifest within one year of his separation from service. As such, it denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection of hearing loss due to the veteran's withdrawal of his appeals.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in service and may not be presumed. The skin condition of the head and hands, secondary to exposure to Agent Orange, could potentially be granted as direct service connection due to the veteran's verified service in Vietnam.

The veteran's appeal for an increased rating for otosclerosis with bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in July 2006.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss but denied service connection for a left leg disorder. The hearing loss is related to service, while the left leg disorder is not.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent, as his most recent audiometric evaluation shows Level III hearing loss in the right ear and Level IV in the left ear.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and a staged rating greater than 40 percent after April 11, 2006. The veteran was granted service connection for his hearing loss but not with any specific rating.

The veteran's claims for hearing loss, headaches, and impaired vision are being remanded due to the need for additional development including a VA audiological examination.

The Board has found that the veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service and granted service connection for this condition. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and his claims for increased ratings of the fractures were denied.

The VA has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent, as his audiometric test results correspond to numeric designations no worse than Level V in both ears.

The Board determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not begin during service and was not caused by any incident of service. The claim for service connection for a bilateral ear disorder, to include hearing loss, is denied.

The Board has remanded the veteran's TDIU claim due to incomplete evaluations regarding his back and hearing loss disabilities, which are inextricably intertwined with the TDIU issue. The AMC is instructed to obtain medical opinions from an orthopedist and a physician specializing in ears, nose, and throat disorders regarding the effect of the veteran's service-connected low back and bilateral high frequency sensorineural hearing loss on his employability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent from July 24, 2000 to November 27, 2002 and a rating in excess of 40 percent from November 27, 2002 to present.