Hearing loss decisions — 2006

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA examination to address the significance of pre-service audiometric results and whether the veteran's hearing loss increased in severity during service. The issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is also pending before the RO.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability warrants a rating of 10 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for this condition. The veteran's claim for an increased rating was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus as there was no showing of current disability or evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, as his current hearing loss levels do not warrant such an evaluation.

The veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which he claims are related to his military service. The VA has not attempted to obtain private treatment records from El Paso Natural Gas Company that may contain relevant information.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluation of right inguinal hernia, service connection for pes planus, hearing loss, and tinnitus due to lack of competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting specialized VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's eye disorder, hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral osteosclerosis and vertigo secondary to left ear hearing loss warrant a 10 percent initial rating each, as these conditions are already rated based on their primary service-connected disabilities. No additional ratings can be granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities, as well as his claim for service connection for bilateral onychomycosis of the feet. The veteran's hearing loss was not found to meet VA criteria for a disability, and his tonsil condition did not result in hoarseness or inflammation of the cords.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and left knee arthritis, finding that the veteran did not have a current disability meeting VA's definition of hearing loss or arthritis within one year post-service. The evidence also showed no medical opinion linking these conditions to service.

The Board found no evidence of a causal relationship between the veteran's in-service noise exposure and his current hearing loss or tinnitus, and thus denied both claims for service connection.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and assigned a 10 percent rating, effective March 1, 2001. The veteran's petition to reopen the claim was received on that date.

The Board found that the veteran's left ear hearing loss existed prior to service and did not increase in severity during service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for a right ear hearing loss and residuals of a right ear infection, finding no evidence linking these conditions to military service. The evaluation for the veteran's bilateral foot disability was also denied as there is not enough evidence showing marked contraction or deformity.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for a hearing loss, as there is no evidence of current disability due to disease or injury incurred in service.

The Board is remanding the case to determine if there was clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in a prior rating action denying service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The appellant must be notified of this determination and given the right to appeal.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for any of the claimed disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and cataracts and glaucoma of the left eye.