Hearing loss decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure the veteran receives proper notice and assistance in connection with his claims for service connection. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The VA has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable VA disability evaluation guidelines.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbosacral spine disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and chronic vestibulopathy. The claim for service connection for hearing loss was also denied.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and an initial compensable disability rating for left ear hearing loss. The evidence does not support a finding of current hearing loss as defined by VA standards.

The veteran's hearing loss disability is not shown to be due to noise exposure or other event during his period of active service. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence does not establish a nexus between the current bilateral hearing loss and any in-service incident.

The veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for service-connected bilateral hearing loss and service connection for tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional VA evaluations.

The Board found no evidence to support service connection for bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus. For PTSD, the veteran's condition was not shown to be related to active military service and thus denied an increased rating beyond 70 percent.

The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss. The claims for bilateral tinnitus and hypertension were denied as there was insufficient medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn before the Board could make a decision. The case is dismissed.

The appellant has withdrawn his appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus. The case is dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus as the evidence did not establish current disability or a relationship to military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, COPD, and PTSD. The VA examiner found that current conditions were not attributable to service.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and hyperthyroidism, finding no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after service. The veteran's wife provided testimony indicating the veteran complained about hearing issues while in service.

The VA has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant an evaluation in excess of zero percent, as his current hearing levels do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of an increase in disability within a year prior to April 19, 2004.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development due to issues related to service connection and new evidence.

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

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss as defined by VA regulations, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss effective January 6, 2003. The veteran's total unemployability claim was not addressed as it is not in appellate status.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the failure to report for a VA examination and because of uninterpreted results from a private audiogram. The case will be reviewed again after additional development.