Hearing loss decisions — 2006

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating, as his hearing acuity did not meet or exceed the criteria for any higher evaluation under VA's Rating Schedule.

The Board has restored service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, status post carcinoma of the right tonsil with impaired speech and decreased saliva function, and sarcoidosis. Service connection was initially granted based on presumptive exposure to Agent Orange during Vietnam service.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not warrant such an increase.

The Board found that the veteran's cardiovascular disability did not manifest during service or within one year of discharge, and there is no evidence showing it was aggravated by service. The Board also found that the veteran does not have hearing loss or tinnitus.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of current diagnosis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of a nexus between his current disabilities and his military service. The Board also noted that the veteran had not provided competent medical evidence linking his current conditions to service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss, finding that there is no link between his diagnosed hearing loss and any incident of his active military service.

The veteran's post-concussion syndrome with headaches, organic disorder, and dysthymia is rated at 100% prior to June 23, 1999, and since then the rating has been increased to 70%. The veteran's labyrinthitis warrants a 30% disability rating. Right ear hearing loss does not warrant any compensable evaluation.,The veteran was granted a 100% disability rating for his service-connected post-concussion syndrome with headaches, organic disorder, and dysthymia prior to June 23, 1999, based on the evidence showing he was demonstrably unable to obtain or retain employment as a result of this condition. The veteran's labyrinthitis is rated at 30% since it is manifested by tinnitus, dizziness, and occasional staggering.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and an initial compensable evaluation for left ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of current disability or a relationship to service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, degenerative disease of the lumbosacral spine, and bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. Service connection is denied for a scar of the lateral left cornea and remanded for further examination to determine if arthritis of both hands could be related to service.

The Board finds that the currently demonstrated bilateral hearing disability is likely due to noise exposure during active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The case is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a hearing before the RO's Decision Review Officer and obtaining records from the VAMC in Atlanta. The veteran should also provide details of his in-service stressors and undergo a psychiatric examination if necessary.

The Board finds that the veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are due to service, and grants service connection for these conditions. The left ear hearing loss is rated as noncompensable.

The VA determined that there is no evidence of a hearing disability or tinnitus during service, and the Board finds insufficient medical evidence to establish a link between current disabilities and service.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a hearing loss disability and tinnitus, but denied the claim for a lung disability due to exposure to asbestos in service.

The Board found that the evidence submitted was not new and material, thus denying the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for hearing loss.