Hearing loss decisions — 2003

The Board has denied the veteran's claim of service connection for hearing loss due to in-service noise exposure, as there is no competent evidence of current hearing loss or a nexus between such hearing loss and service.

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

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor did it manifest to a compensable degree within one year of separation from service. The preponderance of evidence is against finding that the veteran's hearing loss disability is related to his military service.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred therein. The evidence does not establish a link between his current hearing loss and his service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disability, peripheral neuropathy as secondary to DM, left ear hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The effective date of the grant of service connection for DM was not addressed.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case due to pending requests for evidence. The appeal is currently on hold and will be reassigned to a different VLJ if necessary.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the veteran's claims, including clinical records from his inpatient treatment at Fort Sill Army Hospital during active duty.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for the veteran's otitis externa, which is currently in remission. The condition requires frequent and prolonged treatment with symptoms including itching, flaking, scaling, redness of both ears, and white flaky substance.

The VA has granted a 50 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, effective September 21, 2001.

The Board found that the veteran does not have right ear hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable as a result of his own abilities and the lack of available jobs, despite his qualifications.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a further duty to assist in developing evidence.

The Board found that the cause of death was not service-connected and denied both the claim for service connection for the cause of death and the DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed for the veteran's diabetes mellitus and bilateral hearing loss claims due to potential changes in severity since previous evaluations. The RO will conduct these examinations, review the claims file, and readjudicate the claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The VA denied a compensable rating for the veteran's service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, based on audiometric evaluations showing Level I hearing acuity in both ears.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are the result of noise exposure in service. The veteran's claims for eczema and psychoneurosis were also granted.

The veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The claim for a higher than 10 percent rating for bilateral tinnitus is also denied as separate ratings are not assignable.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active duty service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and review of his claims file.