Hearing loss decisions — 2004

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and sinusitis.

The veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which he claims was caused by noise exposure during his military service. The VA has requested a further examination to confirm the current presence of a hearing loss disability and its etiology.

The VA granted a higher rating of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, effective July 9, 2003.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Board found that the evidence received since the April 1998 decision is not new and material, and thus the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss may not be reopened.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but denied service connection for a skin disorder including squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma and basal cell carcinoma. The veteran's hearing loss is presumed to be due to noise exposure during active duty service. However, there is no credible evidence linking the skin disorders to his military service.

The Board previously denied the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The case is being remanded to comply with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 and other VCAA requirements.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by his period of service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for adult onset Still's disease and reopened the veteran's claims for other conditions, including a foot disorder, degenerative disc disease of the cervical and lumbar spines, residuals of a back injury, heart disease with hypertension, skin disorder, stomach disorder, hearing loss disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a videoconference hearing as soon as possible.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and other disabilities are denied as there is no current evidence of a chronic disability to support the claims.

The Board denied an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the veteran's current level of hearing impairment does not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation since November 1, 1999.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss began during his period of active service and is related to noise exposure. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a perforated left tympanic membrane, finding that his claim was received on July 30, 2001.

The Board found no evidence of a hearing loss disability during service or post-service, and thus denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to noise exposure during service and grants his claim for service connection.

The veteran withdrew his appeal on several issues, including service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, emphysema, hypertension, and residuals of a right thigh injury. The case is dismissed as it relates to these issues.

The VA has denied a request for an increased evaluation of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, as current evaluations adequately reflect the severity of his disability.