Hearing loss decisions — 2003

The Board determined that the appellant's VA Form 9 was timely and adequate, allowing him to perfect his appeal for service connection claims. The right knee chondromalacia claim is granted with a noncompensable rating.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues regarding increased evaluations for various conditions of the veteran's right ear. The case is now remanded back to the RO for additional evidence and consideration.

The case is being remanded for further development of the veteran's medical records and a VA audiology examination to determine the nature and etiology of his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board found new and material evidence to reopen claims for service connection for lung disability, right shoulder disability, bilateral knee disability, and residuals of fractures of the fourth and fifth digits of the right hand. The claim for diabetes mellitus was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus and hearing loss are service-connected due to noise exposure during his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a rating in excess of 10 percent for left rotator cuff tear with subacromial impingement and bursitis, and a compensable rating for pilonidal cyst, status post cystectomy.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an effective date earlier than August 4, 1998, for the award of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to the veteran's military service.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence. The case is now being remanded to the RO for obtaining the veteran's clinical records and arranging a VA audiological examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left ear hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating under VA regulations.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence. The case is now being sent back to the RO for examination and review.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and an initial increased rating for left ear hearing loss. The veteran was granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, but with a noncompensable evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for thoracic outlet syndrome and right ear hearing loss, but granted service connection for right ear hearing loss. The claim for higher rating of left ear hearing loss was not addressed in this decision.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues regarding the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus. The case is being sent back for additional evidence collection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are service-connected, as they were incurred during his active duty.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to noise exposure in service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's application for compensation benefits, received on May 10, 1999, constituted an informal claim for a TDIU. The effective date of his TDIU is now set at May 10, 1999.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and right shoulder disability due to lack of evidence showing current disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. However, the evidence does not support a finding of service connection as the veteran did not have hearing loss disability during or after military service.