Hearing loss decisions — 2006

The Board has decided the claim for tinnitus and is remanding the claims for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD to the RO for further development.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining audiologic test results and scheduling a VA examination. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received after the initial rating decision. The veteran is required to provide additional information and/or evidence pertinent to his claim, including medical records that show he has right ear hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VCAA notice and will provide proper notification before readjudicating the claim.

The Board denied service connection for migraine headaches and nausea and dizziness as secondary to right ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development due to missing service medical records and incomplete notice.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an effective date prior to May 19, 2003 for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and a higher initial evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including an examination and audiometric evaluation of the veteran's ear condition.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, resulting in a denial of his claim.

The veteran is granted a 100% evaluation for his service-connected right ear hearing loss, the maximum schedular rating available.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic post-operative left knee disorder, chronic bilateral hearing loss disability, and chronic bilateral tinnitus. The evidence did not support these claims as they were not shown to have originated during active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for epilepsy and hearing loss, finding that there is no current evidence of these conditions. The claim to reopen a low back disorder was also denied.

The Board has determined that the preponderance of the evidence is against the claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disorder, and thus the appeal is denied.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for increased ratings for tinnitus and left ear hearing loss, leaving only the issues of an increased rating for PTSD and entitlement to a TDIU.

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on need of aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities was denied as he does not meet the criteria for such benefits.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied both claims as there is no evidence of these conditions in service or currently. The VA audiology examination could not be completed due to cerumen impaction, and post-service tinnitus was diagnosed after service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence linking the current condition to his military service.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, with a rating of 30 percent for hearing loss effective from July 26, 2004. The decision also found that the veteran likely had tinnitus related to his military noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is reasonably shown to have had its origins during his period of active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The VA determined that the veteran's hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and any current hearing loss is not related to service.