Hearing loss decisions — 2004

The veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination, including service medical records and a VA podiatry examination. The issues of service connection for bilateral foot disorders, as well as reopening claims for generalized anxiety disorder and bilateral hearing loss, will be reconsidered.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and pes planus have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The claim for service connection for a dental disability remains pending as no evidence of service trauma was found.

The veteran's claim for a compensable initial disability evaluation for service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for further development, including another VA C&P audiology examination.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Board has granted the veteran's appeal, finding that there was clear and unmistakable error in a prior rating decision denying service connection for bilateral hearing loss secondary to a perforated left eardrum. The effective date of the grant of service connection is set at June 16, 2004.

The Board found that the August 1991 rating decision denying service connection for bilateral hearing loss, secondary to a perforated left eardrum, did not contain clear and unmistakable error. The effective date of the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was determined to be June 16, 1999.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of a current disability or in-service event that could be linked to these conditions.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for further development.

The Board has determined that there is no current disability of headaches, right ear hearing loss, or tinnitus related to service. The veteran's testimony regarding his symptoms was not considered sufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the claimed conditions and service.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and increased the rating for right ear hearing loss to 10 percent. The claim of service connection for tinnitus was reopened, but no new evidence was submitted, so it remains denied. Service connection for right mastoiditis is also granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service or noise exposure therein, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and to ensure compliance with VCAA notice and duty to assist provisions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of current disability meeting VA criteria or linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, peripheral vascular disease (claimed as circulatory problems), degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 and generalized annular bulging at L3-L4 and L4-5, post-traumatic stress disorder, bronchitis, knee disorders, headaches, and hand coordination problems, were not incurred or aggravated during active service. The veteran's claims are denied as they do not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection based on herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Board denied an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, finding that the veteran's current level of disability did not warrant a higher rating under VA's schedular criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his most severe hearing impairment did not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a lack of proper VCAA notice and compliance.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active duty service, nor was a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability. The decision is based on lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's pre-existing hearing loss was aggravated by service exposure to noise, and therefore grants service connection for bilateral hearing loss.