Hearing loss decisions — 2003

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current disabilities associated with his claimed conditions of right knee disorder, vision loss, bilateral hearing loss, or bronchitis. Therefore, he is denied service connection for these conditions.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation, resulting in a denial of his claim.

The Board has granted higher initial disability ratings for the veteran's status-post right first toe fracture with bilateral plantar fasciitis and left ear hearing loss, both rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss should be November 20, 2000. The veteran's claim was received on November 30, 2000, and there is no evidence indicating an earlier intent to apply for benefits related to this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the veteran's in-service noise exposure and competent evidence of current hearing loss disability are sufficient to establish service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is likely related to service, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The veteran's initial claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted in January 2000 with a noncompensable rating effective May 11, 1987. In September 2000, the RO assigned a 20 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss effective from November 9, 1999 based on new regulations that became effective in June 1999.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted it, finding that new evidence submitted since the October 1991 RO decision establishes a relationship between the veteran's current hearing loss disability and his military service.

The veteran's claims are being remanded due to his request for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The VA has determined that the veteran's right ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluation, service connection, and TDIU were denied. The VA found no evidence of a right hand fracture or left foot fracture in service, nor did the submitted evidence establish a nexus between current diagnoses and service. Service connection was also not granted for poor vision, hearing loss, easily getting tired, or rheumatism. The veteran's only service-connected condition is the gunshot wound to his left finger with amputation and exostosis, which does not meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a noncompensable rating for residuals of a fracture of the DIP joint of the right middle finger.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated by service, and is more likely due to age-related changes. The evidence did not establish a link between his in-service noise exposure and his current condition.

The Board has determined that a remand is required due to the need for additional development and notification under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not linked to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claim for an increased rating for dysthymic disorder was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, specifically exposure to acoustic trauma from artillery during active duty. As a result, these conditions have been granted as being incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus do not warrant an increased evaluation, while his lumbosacral strain does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.