Hearing loss decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected.

The Board denied service connection for low back condition, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The veteran's current hearing levels do not meet the criteria for a disability as defined by VA regulations.

The VA has determined that the appellant's current bilateral hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated during his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a TDIU based on service-connected disabilities, finding that his combined rating did not meet the schedular requirements and that he was not unemployable due to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss with otosclerosis of the left ear was denied by the RO. The RO continued a noncompensable rating prior to October 12, 2005, and increased it to 10 percent effective October 12, 2005.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, mastoiditis, and vertigo. The duodenal ulcer is currently rated at 10%.

The Board finds that an effective date earlier than April 23, 2003 for the award of an increased rating of 30 percent for left ear hearing loss is not warranted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating, as his puretone thresholds do not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation under VA's Rating Schedule.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a right ankle condition, bilateral hearing loss, and emphysema and pneumonia as a result of exposure to asbestos. The Board found no current diagnoses or evidence linking these conditions to service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right ear hearing loss, right knee post-traumatic exostosis, and right knee osteoarthritis were denied. The claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability was also denied.

The RO denied the veteran's claims for effective dates prior to October 12, 2001 for service connection of hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral hearing loss. The RO assigned noncompensable initial ratings for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The claims will be reviewed after additional development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated by service and is not related to any in-service noise exposure. As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of current tinnitus disability or a link to active service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and cold weather injury of the feet. The veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded to assign appropriate disability ratings.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, including any noise exposure during active duty. As a result, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and denied increased evaluations for radiculopathy of the right and left legs. The veteran's disabilities are rated as 10 percent disabling bilaterally.

The Board has dismissed the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no credible supporting evidence that the veteran's claimed in-service stressors occurred.