Hearing loss decisions — 2003

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a VA audiology evaluation and medical nexus opinion.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated at a noncompensable level, and the Board finds that it does not warrant an increased rating.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues regarding the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus. The case is now remanded for additional examination and review.

The veteran's claim for service connection for malaria was denied as there is no evidence of current disability. The claim for bilateral hearing loss disability is pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic sinusitis and bilateral hearing loss are related to his period of active service, granting entitlement to service connection for both conditions.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The veteran's appeal is for an initial compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The RO has requested additional medical records and will provide a VA audiological examination to determine the current severity of his hearing loss. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board granted a compensable rating of 10 percent for tinnitus and found that the veteran is entitled to a separate evaluation for right ear mixed hearing loss prior to February 8, 2000. The decision also addressed issues related to increased ratings for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for avascular necrosis of the hips due to presumed exposure to herbicides during active duty in Vietnam. The other claims remain pending.

The veteran is entitled to an effective date of May 14, 1998 for a 10 percent disability evaluation for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and residuals of a concussion. The evidence does not support the presence of current disabilities, and there is no medical opinion linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied reopening the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and left ear fungus/otitis due to lack of new and material evidence.

The case is being remanded for further development, including medical examinations to evaluate the veteran's malaria, hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not originate in service and denied his claim for service connection.

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 claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus will be addressed in a separate remand.

The veteran's hearing loss disability has been rated at 40% since March 16, 2000. The RO found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation for this period.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues and evidence. The case is now remanded for additional examination and review.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss in the left ear.

The Board has granted service connection for a scar near the right eye as a residual of an in-service head injury. The veteran's other claimed residuals, including hearing loss and dizziness/seizure disorder, are still under development.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not begin during service and was not caused by any incident of service. The claim for a compensable rating for a psychiatric disorder is remanded due to lack of recent medical records.