Hearing loss decisions — 2006

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Service connection is granted for these conditions. The claim for a bilateral leg disability remains denied as there is no evidence of a chronic disability in service or since separation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, left shoulder disability, and right shoulder disability. The maximum schedular rating of 10 percent was assigned for each condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and low back disorder are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or causal link to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss began during his period of active duty for training and is related to service. However, there is no evidence of a right foot or ankle disorder in service, and the claim for residuals of a right foot and ankle injury was denied as it lacks sufficient medical evidence to establish an in-service event.

The Board has dismissed the appeal concerning an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss. The veteran's claim of service connection for a right ankle sprain was denied as there is no evidence of any ankle disability since his service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for myasthenia gravis, bilateral hearing loss, and a left knee disability. The claim for tinnitus was not addressed in this decision.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a lung condition due to asbestos exposure, and hypertension as there is no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims for service connection.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his medical records and a comprehensive examination to determine the severity of his various disorders, including hearing loss, shortness of breath, leg failure, disorder of the arms, dizziness, and mental illness. The VA will also ensure that he receives proper VCAA notice.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Board hearing at the RO.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for hearings before a Decision Review Officer and a Veterans Law Judge at the RO in Fort Harrison, Montana.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hearing loss in either ear by VA standards and therefore, service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied. Service connection for left ear hearing loss is granted as the evidence is equally balanced on whether it was incurred during service. The claim for tinnitus is denied due to lack of medical evidence linking its onset to service.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as zero percent disabling, and the claim for an increase in this disability has been denied.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated by service and could not be presumed due to his military service. The evidence did not establish a current disability, nor was there sufficient continuity of symptomatology from service.

The veteran withdrew his appeal on the issues of an initial rating higher than 20 percent for diabetes mellitus and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. As a result, the case is dismissed.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The RO has already assigned the maximum available rating (10%) for tinnitus, and left ear hearing loss is rated at zero percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and inguinal hernia. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence showing a current disability related to in-service noise exposure.

The VA has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating, as his average puretone threshold hearing level is 70 dB for the right ear and 48 dB for the left ear. The Board found no evidence of an increased disability or any other factors justifying a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, with equipoise of evidence supporting this conclusion.