Hearing loss decisions — 2003

The Board has determined that the veteran does not currently have a bilateral hearing loss disability and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is at least as likely as not related to his exposure to acoustic trauma during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed as the appellant requested that his appeal be withdrawn.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board found that the noncompensable disability evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and the 10 percent evaluation for tinnitus were appropriate based on the audiometric test results provided.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant an initial compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current left knee disorder or Meniere's syndrome, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied. The veteran's hearing loss in his left ear is currently rated as noncompensable.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss in his right ear and headaches were denied. The evidence did not establish current disabilities or a causal link to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss did not occur during service and is not related to his military service. As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were caused by noise exposure during service, specifically from depth charges in World War II and aircraft engines and gun turrets while serving as a gunner on B-50 aircraft. As such, the appeal for these conditions is granted.

The Board found that the veteran's hearing loss and neurological, respiratory, eye, and gum disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The Board also noted that there was no evidence of a chronic disability resulting from an undiagnosed illness during the Persian Gulf War period.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a skin rash, left thumb injury residuals, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, acute gastroenteritis, and sores on the penis and rectum (claimed as an ulcer condition). The veteran was also denied a 10 percent disability evaluation based upon multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the appellant's left knee arthritis, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus are all related to his active military service.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise for and against the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding a relationship to noise exposure during service. Service connection is granted.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under the applicable rating schedule.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the hearing loss claim and concluding that there is insufficient evidence linking the current tinnitus to military service.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for PTSD, asbestos exposure-related disability, and hearing loss due to lack of medical evidence supporting these conditions. The claim for reopening the hearing loss was also denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection of a right ear hearing disability, finding that there was no evidence meeting the regulatory criteria for a hearing disability under VA standards.