Hearing loss decisions — 2003

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him incapable of providing for his own daily self-care or from protecting himself against the hazards and dangers of daily living without the assistance of another person. He is not a patient in a nursing home.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for post gastrectomy syndrome with psychophysiologic gastrointestinal reaction and hepatitis, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations under VA rating criteria. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was not addressed as it had previously been denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is etiologically related to noise exposure during his active military service, and tinnitus was not present during service or until years thereafter, and is not etiologically related to the veteran's active military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss is related to service and has granted service connection for this condition.

The case is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining medical reports and scheduling examinations. The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a stomach condition, as well as an increased evaluation for his low back disability, will be reviewed after these actions.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for a nervous disorder (Inclusive of PTSD) and hearing loss. The evidence received since the September 1994 decision does not establish a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The veteran's conditions are found to be related to his active military service, leading to a grant of service connection.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss, finding that it did not meet the criteria for such a rating based on recent audiometric test results.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, head injury residuals, and right knee disability. The veteran's claims of increased evaluation for his hearing loss are denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating than 10 percent since October 19, 1973.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for the veteran's right shoulder subdeltoid bursitis, effective from June 1960. The veteran's left ear hearing loss is not compensable.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new evidence submitted since the 1968 denial. However, the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that his current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to service.

The veteran's claims for service connection and evaluation of post-traumatic stress disorder were denied by the RO. The veteran is not entitled to any compensation or evaluations based on his claimed conditions.

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

The veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a perforated eardrum due to VA treatment was denied, and his claims for increased evaluations of bilateral hearing loss and asbestosis were also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. Service connection was denied for loss of sense of smell due to lack of evidence establishing a direct link.

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 specific actions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a rash of the head and face, chest pain, and a gynecological disorder. The reasons were that there was no current evidence of these conditions or their relationship to service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and right shoulder disorder, as well as his claim for an increased rating for residuals of a simple fracture of the right metatarsal. The RO is directed to provide additional notification under the VCAA and obtain relevant medical records.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case due to pending requests for evidence and clarification. The appeal is currently remanded for additional examinations and consideration of the claims.