Hearing loss decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his military service, including noise exposure during his time as a field artillery cannoneer. As such, these conditions have been granted service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the veteran's current disability is related to his exposure to acoustic trauma during service. The claim for tinnitus remains pending and will be remanded.

The veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted, but the disability is currently rated as noncompensable.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no credible evidence that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss of the left ear and residuals of a right knee injury, as well as his claim for an increased disability evaluation for hearing loss of the right ear. The decision also granted service connection for hearing loss of the right ear but assigned a noncompensable disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a lack of relevant treatment records and for a VA audiologist examination.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining personnel records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a pulmonary disability due to the absence of evidence showing current disabilities or in-service incurrence/aggravation. The veteran failed to report for scheduled VA examinations, which prevented further development.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and residuals of dental trauma are not well-grounded.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and determined that new evidence submitted since the last denial supports reopening of the claim. The Board also found that the veteran's pre-existing bilateral hearing loss was not aggravated by service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss prior to August 18, 2004 was denied. From August 18, 2004, the RO assigned a 30% rating based on the VA examination results. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral fallen arches is also denied.

The Board found no evidence of a current left foot disability and denied service connection for the veteran's claimed fracture residuals. The hearing loss claim was also denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking the current bilateral hearing loss to active duty.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his claim for an increased rating for residuals of gunshot wound to the left shoulder. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has decided that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, and therefore denied both claims.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied. The right inguinal hernia claim was not addressed, as the RO did not provide a statement of the case on this issue. The hepatitis C evaluation from July 11, 2002, is also pending.

The Board has ordered the appellant to undergo VA examinations for his hearing loss and left arm disability. The case is now remanded due to failure to provide notice of the scheduled examinations, and the need to verify the appellant's current address before scheduling further examinations.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence does not demonstrate an entitlement to such a rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ear hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating, as it is currently rated at Level V.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the veteran with proper VCAA notice.