Hearing loss decisions — 2006

The Board found that the veteran does not have current hearing loss or tinnitus, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus and hearing loss have been assigned the maximum disability ratings available under VA regulations. The appeal for higher initial ratings is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are causally related to service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional evidence and scheduling a VA audiological examination. The case will also be considered for an earlier effective date for the increased rating of his bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development of his medical records.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) disability determination records. The veteran is also seeking separate ratings for left ankle orthopedic impairment and left knee instability.

The veteran's appeal for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and examinations. The issues include bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a bilateral ankle disability, and right foot fracture residuals.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of new and material evidence. The issue of an extra-schedular evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claims of service connection for a psychiatric disorder or bilateral hearing loss, and denied both claims.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a right knee disability and bilateral hearing loss, are not sufficient by themselves to preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and industrial background. Therefore, the criteria for establishing TDIU benefits are not met.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ear hearing loss disability was not incurred in or related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a Travel Board hearing at the RO.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding new and material evidence. The claim for anosmia is also reopened.,Evidence submitted since the March 1999 denial includes VA outpatient records noting current sensorineural hearing loss and private medical records indicating mild to moderate sensorineural hearing loss with thresholds of 55 decibels at 4000 hertz.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss of the right ear was aggravated during his active military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the appellant's pre-existing bilateral hearing loss did not increase in severity during military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of service connection for hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence to support a finding that his current hearing disability had its onset in or was aggravated by service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for further development of evidence, including confirmation of military service eligibility and medical opinions on the nature and etiology of his conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a TDIU was denied as there was no evidence showing he became unemployable prior to November 5, 2002.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence has been submitted. The Board also found that these conditions are attributable to service.