Hearing loss decisions — 2006

The Board has remanded the claims for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus, service connection for right ear hearing loss, and special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to incomplete medical records and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left ear hearing loss does not warrant a compensable disability evaluation, as it is only service-connected and rated at level I in both ears combined.

The veteran's appeal regarding tinnitus has been withdrawn. The case is being remanded for additional development and consideration of his claim for hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's multilevel lumbosacral degenerative disc disease (at levels L3-L4, L4-L5, and L5-S1) incurred during active service. The issue of left ear hearing loss is remanded to obtain a VA compensation examination that will determine the etiology of the veteran's current bilateral defective hearing.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if current hearing loss is related to military service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the veteran's pre-existing condition did not worsen during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural issues and the need for additional evidence, including a VA examination for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of shrapnel wounds.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, residuals of a neck injury (claimed as secondary to a service-connected low back disability), obesity (claimed as secondary to a service-connected low back disability), and fibromyalgia (claimed as secondary to a service-connected low back disability).

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a back injury and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of such conditions during or immediately following his active duty service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, skin disability (including tinea pedis and manus), and bilateral hand neuropathy. The August 18, 2004 VA examination related to Agent Orange exposure is missing from the record.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his dysthymic disorder, left knee disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The evaluations assigned were found to be inadequate.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including VA examinations and a review of medical records.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral leg condition, to include arthritis of the knees, and hearing loss were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a nervous disorder, as well as his request for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for his duodenal ulcer. The veteran's duodenal ulcer was rated at 10 percent since September 29, 1997.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for the claimed disabilities. The veteran's left ear hearing loss was found to be unrelated to service, and his psychiatric disorder claim must be remanded as it involves issues of a disability rating and effective date.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for COPD, and service connection for asbestosis. The evidence did not support granting any of these claims.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and cold injury residuals of the feet were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating at any point during the appeal period.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diagnosed degenerative joint disease of the lumbar and cervical spine, bilateral hearing loss, and respiratory disorder are not related to his military service. The veteran's left knee disability is also not linked to service.

The Board found no evidence of current bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus meeting VA criteria for a disability. The veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was insufficient medical evidence to support the presence of these conditions.