Hearing loss decisions — 2003

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation, as his audiometric results do not meet the criteria for any higher rating under VA regulations.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent, as his current evaluation is already at its maximum level.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss did not meet the regulatory criteria for a finding of hearing loss disability as defined by 38 C.F.R. § 3.385, and thus denied service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 29, 1999, for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to provide a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge. The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and seizure disorder remain pending.

The veteran was granted service connection for right ear hearing loss. Service connection was denied for left ear hearing loss, perforated tympanic membrane, and chronic ear infections.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of April 24, 1998 for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is being remanded due to a potential issue with clear and unmistakable error in a prior decision.

The Board found that there is no clear and unmistakable evidence of hypertension or left ear hearing loss prior to service, nor any increase in severity during service. The veteran's current conditions are not considered directly related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disability present during service and insufficient medical evidence to establish a nexus between current hearing loss and military service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The VA denied a compensable evaluation for the veteran's bilateral hearing loss, as his October 2000 audiometric results corresponded to level I in both ears.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated at a 50 percent rating from September 1, 1996 to November 20, 2000. The evidence did not support an increase in the disability level during this period.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated at 10 percent prior to October 7, 2002 and remains at 10 percent beginning October 7, 2002.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and seizure disorder are service-connected, with the evidence showing they were caused or aggravated by his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and residuals of frostbite. The right shoulder disorder and right hand disorder claims were not addressed as they are related to a pending TDIU claim.

The veteran's service-connected conditions do not preclude him from engaging in some form of substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and various undiagnosed illness-related symptoms, did not meet the criteria for service connection or an increased rating under applicable VA regulations.