Hearing loss decisions — 2006

The Board denied a higher disability rating for sleep apnea syndrome and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has found that the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to ambiguities in the audiological findings. Further development is needed, including a new VA audiologist examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The veteran sustained bilateral hearing loss as a result of active military service, and his tinnitus is also related to his military service.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings are denied as the earliest date of claim is June 11, 2002.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the appellant's service-connected low back disability, effective from September 26, 2003. The claim to reopen for bilateral hearing loss was also granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have bilateral sensorineural hearing loss or tinnitus that is causally related to his military service. The claim for service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and PTSD, as well as his claims for service connection for hypertension and a skin rash. The veteran was granted service connection for PTSD but with an initial evaluation of 70 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability for bilateral hearing loss or basal cell carcinoma of the skin, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions. The residuals of shrapnel injuries to both legs are also denied.

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain additional medical records and Social Security Administration documentation. The veteran's claims for hearing loss, paranoid schizophrenia, and type II diabetes mellitus will be reconsidered based on this new information.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current hearing loss, left knee condition, or right knee condition to his military service. The Board concluded that the veteran's conditions are more likely related to post-service occupational noise exposure.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective October 13, 2000. The claim for an increased rating prior to June 27, 2003, is denied.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities did not result in the level of impairment required for an increased rating, TDIU, or SMC based on a need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status. The appellant is therefore not entitled to accrued benefits.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected scar, status post appendectomy does not warrant a compensable rating due to lack of current symptomatology. The issue of an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied.

The Board found no evidence of service connection for diabetes mellitus due to Agent Orange exposure, and denied the claim. For bilateral hearing loss, the Board noted current diagnoses but could not establish a nexus between the condition and active military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are likely due to noise exposure during service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss disability with vertigo, resulting in a denial of the application.