Hearing loss decisions — 2003

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability does not warrant a compensable evaluation under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not currently have a hearing loss disability of the left ear for VA compensation purposes, and thus service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for varicose veins and bilateral hearing loss, but denied them on the merits. The additional evidence received since the April 1974 rating decision is considered new and material to reopen the claim for varicose veins, while it does not meet the criteria for reopening the claim for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding that the veteran's current hearing loss disability is related to exposure to high noise in service, and his tinnitus is secondary to his service-connected hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and VCAA compliance issues. The veteran is required to undergo VA examinations for arthritis of major joints and high frequency hearing loss, and her claims will be reviewed again after these exams are completed.

The Board denied an increased initial disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling.

The veteran claims service connection for bilateral hearing loss, alleging exposure to noise from a heavy artillery firing during his Vietnam service. The VA has not conducted an audiologist examination and the RO must ensure all necessary development is completed as per the VCAA.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability does not warrant an increased evaluation as it currently manifests as level I hearing in both ears.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of service-connected bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus. The veteran's claims for these conditions have been denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development due to missing service medical records and VCAA compliance issues.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's appeal for a TDIU as he withdrew his appeal. The issues of service connection, increased rating, and DEA have been remanded due to procedural errors.

The Board has remanded the case due to recent changes in regulations, and the RO should readjudicate the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran's claims for a compensable rating for his scar residuals, right shoulder; reopening of previously denied service connection claims for right knee injury and bilateral hearing loss are being considered. The Board finds new and material evidence has been submitted in support of the reopened claims.

The Board dismissed the appeal because an adequate substantive appeal was not filed within 60 days of the statement of the case.

The Board is remanding the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service. The RO must obtain medical records from prior sinusitis treatment, brain tumor operations, and a mastoidectomy performed during active duty.

The Board found that the evidence received since the August 1998 rating decision is not new and material to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a low back disorder, and hypertension. The RO will obtain complete service medical records and any relevant personnel records from the service department, as well as post-service medical records. They will also schedule the veteran for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 30 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 7, 2000 for a grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The RO received the veteran's initial claim on that date.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including optic atrophy of the right eye, bilateral varicose veins, and bilateral hearing loss, meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual employability due to his inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.