Hearing loss decisions — 2003

The Board has granted a disability evaluation of 10 percent for service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, effective as of the date of the decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, but granted service connection for a psychiatric disability (major depressive disorder) as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine and knee disabilities. The issue of compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional left Dupuytren's contractures was also denied.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence and clarification. The case is now being remanded back to the RO for a VA ear specialist examination to determine if the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss resulted from his active duty service, including otitis in May 1967, and/or clinically significant decrease in hearing ability documented in service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss began during his active military service and is related to noise exposure. As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran is entitled to service connection for residuals of a left knee injury and finds no evidence linking his current depression, hearing loss, or tinnitus to his active military service.

The Board denied service connection for post traumatic stress disorder and a cervical spine disorder. The veteran's lumbar myositis, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine was initially granted with a 10 percent evaluation from December 16, 1997 to June 13, 2002, which was later increased to 40 percent effective June 14, 2002. The veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus were each assigned initial compensable evaluations, while his scars of the posterior aspect of the left elbow and right upper back and osteoarthritis of the left wrist, history of left wrist fracture received initial non-compensable evaluations.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as new and material evidence was not presented to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left ear sensorineural hearing loss is related to acoustical trauma sustained during combat in service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his active duty service and have denied all of his claims.

The Board has determined that the evidence received subsequent to the RO's January 1997 and June 1993 decisions is not new and material, thus denying the reopening of claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a low back disorder.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his varicose veins and left ear hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA audiological examination to determine if the veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to service exposure, specifically tank weapon firing.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues and is remanding the case back to the RO for additional evidence collection.

The Board finds that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to noise exposure during active military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claims for service connection for visual impairment and hearing loss were denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities, and the VA examinations did not establish a link between any diagnosed conditions and service.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is evaluated as noncompensable.

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

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and the case is being remanded to the RO for further action.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, effective from August 29, 2002.