Hearing loss decisions — 2006

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated in active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 10 percent disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that it was not factually ascertainable that there had been a factually ascertainable increase in disability prior to August 14, 2000.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, foot fungus, nerve damage to the arm and shoulder, and lung and breathing problems. The decision also noted that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete medical records, lack of a VA compensation examination, and procedural errors in VCAA notice. The case will be returned to the RO for further development.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding no evidence of a relationship between his in-service exposure to acoustic trauma and his current condition.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new examination and additional VCAA notification.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss but denied it on the merits. The evidence does not establish current hearing loss disability for VA purposes in either ear, and there is no competent medical evidence linking any current hearing loss to active service.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation, as it only results in Level I hearing loss in both ears.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing at the RO. The issues of service connection for tinnitus and whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen his claim for bilateral hearing loss are pending.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated during his military service and is not related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss does not warrant a compensable disability rating.

The Board found that the veteran's current hearing loss disability is not related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's preexisting bilateral hearing loss did not increase in severity during service and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Board also found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to military service, including noise exposure during active duty.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability in his left ear, and therefore cannot establish service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a left foot disorder, finding that new evidence supports reopening of the varicose veins claim but denying it on the merits.

The Board finds that the veteran's hypertension, diagnosed at service separation and continuing after discharge, is service-connected. The bilateral hearing loss disability claim fails due to lack of current evidence meeting VA criteria for compensation. Service connection for dental procedures (root canals and bridge) is granted as it was incurred in service. The gynecological disorder (uterine cancer) claim is also granted.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a VA audiometric examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Board finds that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is more likely than not due to service, including exposure to noise during combat in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.