Hearing loss decisions — 2006

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a gunshot wound of the right knee with retained metallic fragments.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss of the right ear and residuals of asbestos exposure. The appeal regarding diabetes mellitus and hypertension was dismissed due to a lack of timely submission of a substantive appeal.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence was not received to reopen his previously denied claim of hearing loss. The Board also found no medical evidence linking the veteran's current tinnitus to his period of service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating, as it did not meet the criteria for any level of impairment above Level I in either ear.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus in service, and the medical evidence does not link current bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus to service. The veteran's left shoulder disability is rated as moderately severe to severe functional disability.

The Board has determined that further development is required for the veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess his service-connected disabilities. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss are all service-connected. The initial noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding no competent medical evidence relating his current disability to his military service or the one-year presumptive period.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss was granted a 30 percent evaluation for the period from February 3, 2003 to August 15, 2005 and a 10 percent evaluation for the period commencing on August 16, 2005.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and tinnitus, have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance. He is also entitled to special monthly compensation based on his housebound status.

The veteran's tinnitus is rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations, and his left ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, basal cell carcinoma, and bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

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

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a bilateral foot condition, and a bilateral elbow condition. The evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities or a link to military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evaluation and potential rescheduling of examinations to assess his PTSD and hearing loss.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability warranted a noncompensable (0 percent) rating based on audiometric test results, and denied his claim for an initial compensable rating.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss during service or within one year after separation, and the VA audiologist did not find a nexus between the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and his military service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between his military service and his condition. The Board also noted conflicting opinions regarding whether the veteran's hearing loss was related to noise exposure during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including coronary artery disease, kidney disorder, incontinence, prostate enlargement (claimed as prostate cancer), arthritis of multiple joints and the spine, bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The decision found no evidence of these conditions during active duty or continuity of symptomatology thereafter.