Hearing loss decisions — 2006

The veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease was denied in August 2001. The RO found that no new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim. His other service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment.

The Board has determined that the veteran is not entitled to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, back disorder, neck disorder, left wrist disorder, diabetes mellitus and hypertension.

The Board finds that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss, left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder (claimed as secondary to the left ankle disorder), and PTSD are not service-connected.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the veteran's previously denied claim of service connection for hearing loss of the left ear. The Board found that the veteran had a history of exposure to acoustic trauma during military service, which is consistent with combat conditions. Therefore, the Board granted service connection for hearing loss of the left ear.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the veteran's right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing impairment, including a lack of an audiometry examination. The veteran is also reminded that he needs to provide any relevant evidence in his possession.

The veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed due to the death of the veteran.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus is service-connected due to noise exposure during his military service, and granted this claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current bilateral hearing loss or a skin rash, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss effective from August 25, 1969. The veteran's claim for a higher rating is being remanded to determine the appropriate effective date.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus did not begin during or as a result of his active service. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current disabilities of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, or skin cancer that are related to his military service. The pulmonary disorder claim is also denied.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new evidence. The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination.

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

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing and further development. The issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen his claim for left ear hearing loss, and entitlement to a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss, will be addressed after the hearing.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss warrants a 10 percent initial rating, effective November 1, 2002. The claim for an extra-schedular evaluation is denied.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of current bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus, and the medical records do not establish a nexus between any current hearing loss or tinnitus and military service. Therefore, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the case can be properly adjudicated.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA audiology examination. The veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as increased initial ratings for right and left foot diabetic neuropathy, will be readjudicated.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus during service, and the August 2004 VA examiner concluded that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service.