Hearing loss decisions — 2003

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, ear infections and a perforated eardrum, ulcers, and hepatitis. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his amblyopia exanopsia with secondary defective vision and bilateral hearing loss, finding that neither condition warranted a rating in excess of the current evaluations.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for otitis media/externa, bilateral, status postoperative mastoidectomy with tinnitus and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found that the veteran does not currently have a bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes and denied his claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for sinusitis, hearing loss, and right thumb disability. The Board dismissed the appeal of the issue regarding increased ratings for low back strain due to lack of a timely substantive appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the veteran's current conditions are related to his active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and entitlement to an increased rating for macular papular rash/eczema. The RO is instructed to consider these issues again, including a review of the new regulatory criteria for skin disorders effective August 30, 2002.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records from his providers.

The VA denied a higher initial evaluation for the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that the criteria did not warrant an increase.

The Board found that the veteran's current conditions, including left ear hearing loss, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with chronic bronchitis, perforation of right tympanic membrane, and arteriosclerotic heart disease, are not related to his active duty service. The claims for these conditions were denied as there is no evidence linking them to service.

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

The Board has remanded the case for readjudication due to recent legal changes, and the RO should consider all evidence received since the statement of the case.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not due to noise exposure in service.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for tinnitus and denied an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including a VA Social and Industrial Survey interview and comprehensive examination of the veteran's service-connected disabilities' impact on his employability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ear hearing loss and otitis media do not warrant a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.

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

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's hearing loss is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulations and denied his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, both awarded on May 12, 2000.