Hearing loss decisions — 2006

The Board found that the veteran's need for regular aid and attendance is not supported by evidence, as his service-connected anxiety disorder does not require such assistance.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure proper notice and assistance in connection with the veteran's claims for service connection. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is assigned a 10 percent rating, the maximum rating authorized under Diagnostic Code 6260. There is no legal basis for the assignment of a schedular evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus.

The veteran's initial evaluations for hearing loss and frostbite of the right foot have been granted, with a maximum rating of 10% for hearing loss and 30% for frostbite of the right foot. The RO has also confirmed the effective date as July 24, 2006.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and notification.

The veteran's right ear hearing loss is rated at 10 percent, and the Board has denied an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including obtaining updated notice of what evidence has been received and not received by VA.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus is due to service, and therefore grants service connection for bilateral tinnitus. The left ear hearing loss claim is denied as it was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The VA determined that the veteran does not have a current disability of hearing loss, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The case is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination. The veteran's hearing loss will be evaluated in light of his service history and any noise exposure.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claim that his current bilateral hearing loss disability was caused by noise exposure in service, and denied the claim.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD, finding that the veteran's current conditions were not caused by his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss is not related to service and denied his claim.

The Board found no current diagnosis for bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus and concluded that the veteran did not have a disability to service connect. The evidence does not show any in-service noise exposure sufficient to cause current hearing loss or tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete development of evidence, including obtaining service medical records, audiometric test results, and other pertinent information. The case will be addressed as part of the remand development.

The Board granted a higher initial rating of 30 percent for service-connected bilateral hearing loss beginning September 30, 2002. The veteran's claims for service connection for chronic obstructive pulmonary/lung disease, low blood sugar, and chronic atrial fibrillation were denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service. Service connection was also denied for a nervous disorder.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a VA audiological examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to noise exposure during active service. However, the claim of service connection for hepatitis was denied as there is no current diagnosis or evidence of liver dysfunction.

The Board found no link between the veteran's military service and his current bilateral hearing loss, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus is assigned a maximum rating of 10 percent, and the RO denied his request for higher ratings. The case was remanded to clarify procedural irregularities in the hearing testimony and to obtain additional audiometry test results.