Hearing loss decisions — 2007

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension, which was initially documented many years after his discharge from military service, is not related to a disease contracted or an injury sustained in service. The claim for service connection for hypertension was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and did not reopen his claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability.

The veteran's claims for arthritis of the pelvis and bilateral hearing loss disability were denied. The claim for a compensable rating for residuals of a right forearm burn was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left ear hearing loss and right ankle disability, finding that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for either condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have hearing loss or a back condition that is attributable to his military service. The claim of service connection for hearing loss was denied because there is no evidence of current disability, and the claim of service connection for a back condition was reopened due to new medical evidence.

The Board granted service connection for a psychiatric disability and assigned an initial rating of 10 percent effective August 30, 2002. The veteran's psychiatric disability was increased to 30 percent effective April 11, 2001.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.

The veteran's shell fragment wound of the right leg with partial paralysis is rated at 40 percent effective April 29, 1996. His hypertension and bilateral hearing loss are both rated at 10 percent. The veteran has service connection for gastritis but not for myopia or astigmatism.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss and a TDIU due to lack of evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete evidence and a need to clarify the veteran's service history.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for reopening his previously denied claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and for compensation benefits, pursuant to the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151, for eye disability claimed as a result of VA cataract surgery, require additional development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected otitis externa, and therefore denied his claim for service connection on a secondary basis.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including plantar calluses with hallux valgus and arthritis of the metatarsophalangeal joints of both feet, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and a scar of the right thigh, do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and a compensable initial rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support such findings.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable initial rating, as his hearing acuity is no worse than Level II in both ears.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but denied service connection for left ear hearing loss. The veteran's current left ear hearing loss is considered to be related to his in-service noise exposure as a jet engine mechanic.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a hearing loss disability for service connection purposes and is denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus was also denied as there is no provision for separate ratings for each ear under VA regulations.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) has remanded the appellant's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and right ear tinnitus due to a lack of medical records from his period of active duty for training. The claims are currently denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that could be linked to the current conditions.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a skin condition, back disorder, right shoulder disorder, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss were denied as there was no evidence of chronic conditions initially manifesting during his active service or ACDUTRA.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that he is not entitled to a compensable rating for his right ear hearing loss or an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his bilateral tinnitus.