Hearing loss decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the veteran's current hearing loss is not related to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus was denied as no documentation pertaining to these conditions was received prior to the February 6, 2003 formal claims.

The Board is remanding the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete information in the original file, including a lack of prior decisions on the rating decisions. The RO must obtain all relevant medical records and contact the appellant to gather any missing documents.

The veteran seeks service connection for tinnitus and various disabilities including a low back disability, neck disability, left knee disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The RO is directed to obtain relevant medical records and arrange for the veteran to undergo examination by an orthopedic specialist.,The veteran seeks service connection for his low back disability, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The RO is directed to obtain relevant medical records and arrange for the veteran to undergo examination by an orthopedic specialist.,The veteran seeks service connection for his neck disability, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The RO is directed to obtain relevant medical records and arrange for the veteran to undergo examination by an orthopedic specialist.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not related to any inservice disease or injury.

The veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than September 4, 2003 for the grant of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there was no prior claim submitted within one year of separation from service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen his previously denied claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and records to reconcile conflicting audiometric test results. The veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on this new information.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims to reopen previously denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and essential hypertension, as well as his claim for an initial compensable rating for otitis media with left ear hearing loss, have been denied. His combined disability evaluation remains at 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as clarification of the appellant's military service status.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluation of bilateral hearing loss, service connection for arthralgia of the elbows and hands on a direct basis or as due to an undiagnosed illness, and service connection for abnormal weight fluctuations on a direct basis or as due to an undiagnosed illness.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the audiometric testing shows Level IV hearing acuity in both ears, which corresponds to a 10% disability rating.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for further development, including scheduling a hearing and readjudicating the claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling a VA audiological examination to determine if the veteran currently has hearing loss and its etiology.

The veteran was awarded special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance effective May 25, 2000. The effective date is being upheld as it meets the criteria established by VA regulations.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and ensuring compliance with VCAA notice requirements.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. Service connection was denied for calcified granuloma (claimed as a result of exposure to asbestos) and post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, right ear hearing loss, and erectile dysfunction. The claim to reopen service connection for left ear hearing loss was also denied. An earlier effective date for right ear hearing loss was not granted.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left biceps disorder, and left knee disorder. The remaining issues of fibrocystic breast disease and residuals of cryosurgery or colposcopy of the cervix are remanded for further development.