Hearing loss decisions — 2003

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to noise exposure during service and grants his claim for service connection.

The VA determined that the appellant's character of discharge was under dishonorable conditions, preventing him from receiving VA monetary benefits and eligibility for health care services.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral elbow condition and hearing loss have been denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for an audiological examination and review of additional evidence. The case is now remanded back to the RO for this purpose.

The VA granted a 10 percent evaluation for bilateral hearing loss effective October 22, 2001.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss to his military service, and denied his claim for service connection.

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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial compensable disability rating for hearing loss of the right ear and a disability rating greater than 10 percent for bilateral otitis media.

The Board has referred the issue of tinnitus to the RO for action. The case is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature, severity, and etiology of the veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for a low back disability, finding that there was no evidence supporting these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss and an initial rating for hyperacidity with reflux. The veteran's current hearing loss is attributed to exposure to acoustic trauma in service, while his hyperacidity with reflux is not related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a present hearing loss, psychiatric disorder, or chronic low back disability related to service. The appeal is denied.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence. The case is now being sent back to the RO for obtaining medical records and arranging a special VA examination.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 30 percent, his generalized anxiety disorder at 50 percent, and his lumbar strain at 40 percent prior to July 15, 2002. The Board granted these ratings as they meet the schedular criteria.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's right testicular condition and denied a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss. The issue of increasing the veteran's low back disability rating remains pending, with the case being remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The veteran did not establish a current diagnosis of these conditions or that they were incurred in service.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are causally related to his exposure to noise during service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The case is being remanded due to the need for proper VCAA notice and development of evidence. The veteran's claims for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are not yet fully developed.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The issue of service connection for atrial fibrillation remains unresolved as the evidence is insufficient to determine its etiology.