Hearing loss decisions — 2003

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hip disorder and the earlier effective date claim for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.,There is no current evidence of a current bilateral hip disability. The veteran's claims were previously denied in December 1974, but he did not appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the veteran's current hearing impairment is related to his exposure to noise during active duty.

The Board has remanded the case for further review of the medical evidence and readjudication of the service connection claim for residuals of a perforated right tympanic membrane, including right ear hearing loss.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral tympanic membrane perforation and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of impairment in earning capacity or other factors warranting an extraschedular evaluation.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development and notification due to his representative not having had an opportunity to file a VA Form 646. The case will be re-certified to the Board after this is completed.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. Service connection for rheumatoid arthritis is remanded due to insufficient evidence linking the condition to service.

The veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to noise exposure during his active duty service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including schizophrenia, knee issues, tinnitus, and hearing loss, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that the criteria for entitlement to TDIU have been met.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss with tinnitus and PTSD, finding no evidence of current disabilities coincident with his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service connection claim for residuals of frostbite of the ears and hearing loss is granted, as his current conditions are related to his military service.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, currently rated at 10 percent, does not warrant a higher rating based on current evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for migratory polyarthritis and arthralgia as a manifestation of an undiagnosed illness, service connection for hemorrhagic cystitis as a manifestation of an undiagnosed illness, and service connection for tinnitus.

The Board finds that the veteran's current hearing disability of the right ear is likely due to exposure to acoustic trauma in service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty military service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeals for increased evaluation of hearing loss and special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for impotency was denied as there is no evidence showing that VA treatment caused his condition.

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is granted due to his service-connected disabilities, including post-traumatic stress disorder, hearing loss, and sinus problems. The medical evidence shows that the veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of these conditions.

The veteran's case is being remanded for additional development due to the need for evidentiary development and compliance with VCAA regulations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has awarded service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure.