Hearing loss decisions — 2006

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of these conditions during or after active duty service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, bursitis of the right shoulder, degenerative changes in the cervical spine, hearing loss of the left ear, pansinusitis, diverticulum of the esophagus and duodenum, and heel spurs of the right os calcis. The veteran was not shown to have been exposed to Agent Orange during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of records and need for further medical examination.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee, hemorrhoids, and tinnitus have been denied. The RO assigned a no percent evaluation for bilateral hearing loss prior to March 19, 2005 and a 10 percent evaluation as of that date. For the patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee, the veteran was granted a 10 percent evaluation effective from March 19, 2005. The RO also assigned a 10 percent evaluation for hemorrhoids and denied an increased evaluation for tinnitus.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining any form of substantially gainful employment consistent with his occupational experience and educational background. As a result, the claim for TDIU is denied.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. His right ear hearing loss was rated as noncompensable, his Meniere's disease claim was not addressed due to lack of evidence, and he did not have a lung disability or shoulder/knee disabilities related to military service.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss as of September 5, 2001.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and status post fracture, right forearm. The veteran is not entitled to any higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the appellant's left elbow posttraumatic degenerative arthritis is incurred because service-connected disabilities caused him to fall on his left elbow. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, post-operative residuals of a back injury, tension headaches, and leg, ankle, and foot swelling as new and material evidence was not received to reopen these claims. The veteran's current conditions are found to be unrelated to his period of active duty service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, bilateral wrist and hip disabilities, hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo with dizziness and nausea, and severe headaches. The evidence does not support a current diagnosis or finding of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the reduction from an 80 percent to a 60 percent evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was proper, and restoration of the 80 percent rating is denied.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for bilateral knee disability and granted it. The claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The veteran is granted an effective date of July 26, 1977 for service connection of hearing loss. The claim was initially received in July 1977 and the RO determined that it arose prior to separation from active duty.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not meet the schedular requirements for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability, and there is no evidence to warrant referral for consideration of individual unemployability on an extra-schedular basis.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his agreement with the assigned ratings and his application for VA vocational rehabilitation benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus type II and tinnitus. The appeals were not about service connection at all.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability and bilateral hearing loss. The case is now REMANDED for further development.