Hearing loss decisions — 2004

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to determine if the veteran's current eye disorders and hearing loss are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for a hearing loss disability in the right ear, finding that it was incurred during active military duty. The veteran's other claims are pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to military service.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent and his tinnitus is also rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that the current ratings are appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus do not preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied an increased disability rating for the veteran's service-connected hearing loss, maintaining a current evaluation of 40 percent. The claim for service connection for vertigo was also denied.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied as there is no medical evidence establishing a link between his current disabilities and his noise exposure during service.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current disability of coronary artery disease, bilateral hearing loss, or tinnitus that is service-connected. The evidence did not show any heart disease during service and no nexus between his current condition and service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that he only had level I hearing in each ear and thus warranting a noncompensable evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and found that the veteran's left ear hearing loss was also incurred in service. The other issues remain pending.

The VA determined that the veteran's hearing loss did not warrant a compensable rating, as his average pure tone threshold level was within normal limits in both ears.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is manifested by an auditory acuity level of I in each ear, resulting in a no percent rating. The issue of service connection for the claimed residuals of exposure to Agent Orange (rashes and blotches) was not addressed due to lack of evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to a lack of competent evidence of current treatment or diagnosis for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to in-service acoustic trauma, and a VA examination is needed to determine the nature, severity, and etiology of these conditions.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss disability or tinnitus related to service, and denied the veteran's claims for these conditions. The Board also determined that there is insufficient evidence to establish a connection between any dental condition and service.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to inadequate VCAA notice.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including scheduling a VA audiological examination and readjudicating the claim.