Hearing loss decisions — 2003

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for an audiology examination to determine if the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service. The case is now remanded back to the RO for this purpose.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new and material evidence. However, the VA examination report found no causal relationship between the current hearing loss and service.

The veteran's statutory period of eligibility for vocational rehabilitation under chapter 31 has expired, and the criteria for extension of that period are not met.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss due to new and material evidence. The evidence shows that the veteran was exposed to acoustical trauma during combat operations in Korea, which is consistent with the circumstances, conditions, or hardships of his service. Dr. D.E.B.'s report supports a link between the current bilateral hearing impairment and this exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including a broken nose, bilateral hearing loss, dental trauma, and lumbar spine disability, were not incurred or aggravated during his active duty service. The Board found no evidence of continuity of symptoms after service and concluded that any current disabilities are not related to military service.

The veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board found that the appellant's bilateral hearing acuity during the periods in question has been clinically shown at no greater than Level I for the right ear and Level IX for the left ear, which does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation. Therefore, an initial noncompensable evaluation was denied.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues and the need for additional evidence. The case is now remanded for a VA examination to determine if the veteran's current hearing loss is related to service or post-service noise exposure.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, otitis media (left ear), and tinnitus are currently rated at 10 percent each. The RO has granted increased disability ratings for these conditions.

The veteran's service connection for sleep apnea was granted. The issues of service connection for Hepatitis B, Porphyria Cutanea Tarda, Hepatocellular Liver Disease secondary to Hepatitis C infection, Degenerative Joint Disease of the Cervical Spine and Degenerative Disc Disease C5-6 with Mild Neural Foraminal Encroachment, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) were all granted. The veteran's service connection for bilateral high frequency sensorineural hearing loss is pending.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss and right inguinal hernia are not service-connected, but he is granted a noncompensable disability rating for his right inguinal hernia.

The Board found that the veteran's right ear hearing loss is service-connected due to noise exposure. Tinnitus was also service-connected based on history of noise exposure and ear infections. However, there is no evidence linking a lung disorder to asbestos exposure in service or post-service, thus denying service connection for this condition.

The Board denied entitlement to service connection for thoracic and lumbar spine disorders as secondary to service-connected shell fragment wounds of the abdomen, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disability.

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

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

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

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for hearing loss. The veteran's claims for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and an increased disability rating for PTSD were denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected hearing loss of the left ear is being remanded due to incomplete development and need for additional evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left ear hearing loss disability does not warrant a compensable rating, as his overall level of hearing impairment is commensurate with the noncompensable rating currently in effect.