Hearing loss decisions — 2003

The VA has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability warrants a 10 percent evaluation, which is the maximum available under current regulations. The veteran requested an evaluation in excess of this amount.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues regarding the veteran's increased disability rating for bilateral hearing loss. The case is now remanded for additional evidence and an audiology evaluation.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is manifested by no worse than level I hearing in the right ear and level IX in the left ear, resulting in a noncompensable evaluation. The Board has determined that the criteria for an initial compensable rating have not been met.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss in the left ear is caused by service exposure, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to service. The claims of entitlement to service connection for other disabilities remain pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an increased rating for allergic rhinitis. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues regarding the veteran's left knee disability and hearing loss. The case will be remanded for additional examination and review of evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active duty service.

The Board finds that the veteran's current hearing loss, tinnitus with left ear numbness, and back injury are not related to his military service.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, currently rated at 40 percent.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's appeal of the RO's April 1998 denial of increased disability ratings for migraine headaches, tachycardia, gout, tinea pedis, right foot plantar fasciitis, and gastroenteritis due to a lack of timely filed substantive appeal.

The Board found that there was no evidence of a current hearing loss disability in service and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim is being remanded due to inadequate records and the need for further medical examinations.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The veteran's claim for an extension beyond the basic period of eligibility for vocational rehabilitation training was denied as he did not meet the criteria for a serious employment handicap.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for dependency and indemnity compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318, as well as service connection for pulmonary tuberculosis, asthma, hearing loss, and beriberi for accrued benefits purposes due to lack of service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hearing loss, gastrointestinal disorder, sinusitis, cervical spine disorder (neck injury), left elbow disorder, left shoulder disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, or left ankle disorder. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, sinusitis, allergic disorders, prostate gland disorder, hearing loss, and a lung disorder (COPD), all of which were found to be not related to his active military service or exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected left knee lateral meniscus tear residuals do not warrant an evaluation in excess of 20 percent. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence to support a relationship with service, and tinnitus was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA audiometric examination and consideration of new regulations.