Hearing loss decisions — 2003

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to his combat-related noise exposure during active duty.

The veteran withdrew his appeals concerning the claims of service connection for a left shoulder disability and a compensable evaluation for the bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA ophthalmology examination and addressing the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for bilateral hearing loss, ruptured right tympanic membrane, and residuals of a right eye injury.

The VA determined that the veteran's right ear hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation under the current rating criteria.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right foot disorder (including as secondary to a left foot disorder), and esotropia have been denied. The claim for service connection for headaches is pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is a result of in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a new examination, as well as notification of his rights under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss and a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, finding no evidence to support these claims.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a videoconference hearing before the Board.

The Board has determined that the veteran developed a major depression due to service in Southwest Asia, and therefore service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is granted.

The veteran's hypertension and hiatal hernia with reflux esophagitis and diverticulitis have been granted a 10% rating. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied, but the veteran is still receiving benefits for this condition as it was previously granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral knee disability, multiple allergies, and hearing loss disabilities. The appeals were not perfected due to lack of a timely substantive appeal.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current right ear hearing loss is related to his noise exposure during military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a diagnosed hearing loss disability for VA purposes and thus denied his claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran currently suffers from bilateral hearing loss as a result of acoustic trauma experienced during active duty service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has reopened the claim and granted service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability, finding that it was aggravated by in-service noise exposure.

The veteran's claims of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and a compensable evaluation for left ear hearing loss disability were denied by the RO. The Board found that additional development was needed, but did not address these issues in detail.

The Board found that the veteran's hearing loss and low back disability with buttock muscle atrophy were not incurred or aggravated in active military service, nor may they be presumed to have been so incurred.