Hearing loss decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the appellant's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to service, and his tinnitus claim cannot be reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The appeal for these claims is denied.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss, headaches (secondary to PTSD), and a skin condition on the basis that there was no evidence of these conditions in service or within one year after service. The examiner opined that the veteran's current hearing loss is likely due to presbycusis, his headaches are not related to service-connected PTSD, and his skin condition is unrelated to Agent Orange exposure.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted, while the claims for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are denied.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss, but further development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, but after considering all evidence of record, including the veteran's statements about experiencing ringing in his ears since service, the Board finds that the veteran's tinnitus is more likely than not attributable to service. The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or based upon housebound status is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated by service and is not related to a pre-existing condition. As such, service connection for this disability is denied.

The veteran's claim for Service Disabled Veterans' Insurance (RH) was denied because he is not considered to be in 'good health,' aside from his service-connected disabilities, according to the standards established by VA under M29-1.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a disability rating higher than zero percent.

The veteran's service-connected thoracic outlet syndrome of the right shoulder warrants a 40 percent rating, but no higher. The veteran's bilateral hearing loss and excision of the superficial peroneal nerve neuroma of the left ankle do not warrant compensable ratings. The veteran's post operative plantar fasciotomy of the left foot, carpal tunnel syndromes (right and left), and lumbar spine disorder are all rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for right ear hearing loss and service connection for left ear hearing loss, recurring warts of the hands and genital region, and a left shoulder disability. The right shoulder disability claim is pending.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of service connection for hearing loss and gastrointestinal disability. As a result, these claims are granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the veteran's current tinnitus is related to his military service. The claim for a disability of the left ankle remains denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations. The veteran's claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, degenerative joint disease of each hip, and an increased rating for lumbosacral strain. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for diabetes mellitus was also denied.,There is no evidence linking the veteran's current conditions to service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his claim for an initial compensable evaluation for left ear hearing loss. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The issues of service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD are pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.