Hearing loss decisions — 2003

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case, including VA examinations for hearing loss and tinnitus, gastrointestinal disorder, chronic headaches, and visual disorder. The appeal is currently pending due to procedural issues.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to noise exposure during his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The issue of tinnitus was not addressed in detail as it pertained to noise exposure during service.

The veteran's appeal for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss was denied. However, the Board found that there is CUE in the February 15, 1954 rating decision which failed to grant service connection for right ear defective hearing.

The Board has requested additional development of the evidence, including obtaining service medical records and VA outpatient records. The case is being remanded for these actions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination to determine if the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's disability compensation benefits were properly reduced to a 10 percent rate effective February 15, 2000 due to his incarceration for a felony conviction. The combined rating of 40 percent was in effect prior to this reduction.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for hearing loss, low back disorder, and blood disorder. The evaluation of hepatitis C remains unchanged. The claim for increased evaluation for postoperative residuals of a gunshot wound to the abdomen and right buttock is addressed in the remand.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a psychiatric examination. The claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and diabetes mellitus (to include as due to exposure to herbicides) are also pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, but granted his claim to reopen a previously denied left elbow disorder. The reduction in the rating from 40% to 20% was found proper, and he is seeking an increased rating for his left elbow disorder.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, assigning a 10 percent rating for tinnitus prior to June 10, 1999. The claim for a higher rating for multiple noncompensable disabilities was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, left hip injury, and right ear injury are not supported by the evidence of record. The veteran did not have any relevant findings or diagnoses during his active duty service, and there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and chronic dermatitis.,Service connection for PTSD is deferred due to the grant of service connection for hypertension.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for hearing loss, which was previously denied in March 1978. The decision grants this application.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to exposure to acoustic trauma in service. The veteran's PTSD is currently rated at the highest schedular rating available, which is 70 percent.

The Board has ordered further development in your case due to the need for additional evidence. Your case was sent to the Board's Evidence Development Unit (EDU) for this purpose.

The VA determined that the veteran's hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under the applicable rating schedule.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to procedural issues and potential changes in rating criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss due to lack of new and material evidence, despite previous denials. The case is being remanded for compliance with VCAA requirements.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for an eye disorder and hearing loss, finding that new and material evidence had not been presented to reopen these claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for residuals of a right hemilaminectomy at L4-L5, finding no evidence of current hearing disability. The claim for increased rating was remanded due to procedural issues.