Hearing loss decisions — 2006

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss in the right ear and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between current disabilities and military service.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not causally linked to his service, including in-service noise exposure and ear injury/infection. The claim of service connection for hearing loss was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and consideration of the evidence.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities are so severe that he is unable to engage in substantially gainful employment.

The Board granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied a compensable rating for the service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, and as a result, the issue of a compensable evaluation for now service-connected bilateral hearing loss is remanded to the RO.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, but the claim of left ear hearing loss is remanded due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, vision loss, and diabetes were denied. The Board found no current evidence of these conditions related to military service. Additionally, the claim for degenerative joint disease of the knees and a back disability was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus during service, and there is insufficient continuity of symptomatology to establish a connection between current disabilities and active duty. The veteran's claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, resolving all doubts in favor of the veteran.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his military service and noise exposure, thus granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ear hearing loss is service-connected, while his left ear hearing loss and otitis media are not. The decision also noted that the veteran did not have fungus in the ears.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance of another person (A&A) due to his disabilities, including COPD, CAD with CABG, PVD, hypertension, arthritis, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence did not show that any disability rendered him so helpless as to require the regular A&A of another person.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded to allow the veteran to undergo a VA audiology examination.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, cephalgia, bilateral hearing loss, and healed fracture of the right fibula were denied. The RO granted an increased rating of 50 percent for PTSD effective January 22, 2002; a 10 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss effective January 22, 2002; and a 10 percent rating for healed fracture of the right fibula effective January 22, 2002. The remaining claims remain before the Board.

The veteran does not suffer from depression which can be related to his period of service.,The veteran does not suffer from chronic low back pain which can be related to his period of service.,The veteran does not suffer from right leg pain which can be related to his period of service.,The veteran does not suffer from bilateral hearing loss which can be related to his period of service.,The veteran does not suffer from tinnitus which can be related to his period of service.,The veteran does not suffer from chronic bilateral foot pain which can be related to his service.,The veteran does not suffer from sleep apnea which can be related to his period of service.,The veteran does not suffer from diabetes mellitus which can be related to his period of service.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have a current upper respiratory disorder, bilateral hearing loss, or tinnitus that is etiologically related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting medical examinations to assess the veteran's low back disability. The veteran is also advised of his right to submit additional evidence and argument.

The veteran's major depression is found to be secondary to his service-connected hearing loss and cervical spine disabilities. He was granted a compensable rating for his cervical strain effective June 28, 2003.