Hearing loss decisions — 2004

The Board denied the veteran's claim for SMP based on the need for A&A or housebound status, finding that he did not meet the criteria for either benefit. The issue of reducing his income for pension purposes was remanded to the RO.

The VA determined that the veteran's hearing loss did not warrant a compensable rating prior to December 6, 2000 and denied any increase in rating for his bilateral hearing loss disability from May 8, 2000.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that neither condition warranted a compensable evaluation under VA rating criteria.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence to support these conditions as being incurred during or related to military service.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his active duty service, resulting in a grant of service connection for both conditions.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for a more current VA audiology examination to determine the severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The case should be readjudicated and, if appropriate, staged ratings considered.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence to support a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for hearing loss in the left ear and service connection for tinnitus of the left ear. The evidence did not show that tinnitus began during or was caused by service.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus was granted a 10% evaluation, but his right ear hearing loss remains non-compensably disabling.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA records related to the veteran's hearing aids and scheduling a VA examination for his knee disability. The appeal will be reconsidered after these actions.

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

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and pilonidal cyst, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease that could be linked to these conditions.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for major depression was denied, as the earliest ascertainable increase in disability occurred on June 3, 2002. The TDIU claim was granted with an effective date of October 23, 2002.,An effective date prior to June 3, 2002 for service connection for major depression is not warranted due to the regulations governing secondary service connection. An earlier effective date for TDIU based on hearing loss disability was granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to procedural errors and new examinations are required.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals denied the veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that his pre-existing condition did not worsen during periods of active and inactive duty for training.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development of the record, including obtaining medical records and ensuring proper VCAA notice.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left ear hearing loss is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral eye disorder and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of such conditions in service or subsequent to service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and ensuring that the VA examinations address the issues posed.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, scoliosis, and degenerative joint disease of the thoracic and lumbar spines. The decision is based on evidence showing these conditions are related to service.