Hearing loss decisions — 2006

The Board has referred the issue of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus to the RO. The case is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and records.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his military service, including exposure to noise trauma therein. The decision concludes that service connection for the hearing loss is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for compensable evaluations for bilateral hearing loss and right inguinal hernia repair are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting the criteria for a compensable evaluation under VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a hearing loss disability for VA purposes and there is no evidence of tinnitus due to service. Therefore, both claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral high frequency hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation, as it currently does not meet the criteria for any level of impairment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and initial compensable rating for his hearing loss, low back condition, sinusitis, and headaches. The evidence did not support a finding of service connection due to lack of in-service injury or disease.

The Board found that there is no evidence to support service connection for chronic headaches, bilateral hearing loss, or scars of the left rib cage. The veteran's claims were denied.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for residuals of a left meningioma, post-traumatic stress disorder, hearing loss in her left ear, and gum infections. The Board found that there was no evidence to support these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active duty or active duty for training.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for hearing loss and granted it. The effective date of this grant is May 19, 2003. Service connection for tinnitus was denied as there was no evidence showing that the condition developed during or within one year after service. The veteran's current hearing loss disability is not related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that no CUE was present in the July 1953 rating decision and that an earlier effective date is not legally possible.

The veteran's appeal for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and need for medical opinions regarding his back disorder and hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran's Meniere's disease, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus were aggravated by military service.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation, as it currently does not meet the criteria for any level of impairment.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The VA determined that the veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is denied.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection and initial rating of hearing loss due to conflicting evidence regarding the existence of a left ear hearing disability, and incomplete audiometric testing records. The RO is instructed to obtain all relevant medical records, arrange for VA audiological and otolaryngology examinations, and provide additional notice as required by the VCAA.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, effective October 30, 2002. The veteran's claim was reopened based on new evidence received after the initial denial of his claims.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of March 7, 2002 for a 10% rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no legal basis to award such an earlier date.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.