Hearing loss decisions — 2004

The Board has granted service connection for Meniere's disease, which the veteran claimed as vertigo. The condition was found to be related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an audiogram report and a VA examination to determine if the appellant's current left arm and hand disability is related to his October 1999 treatment at the Chillicothe VAMC.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and found that the veteran's current left ear hearing loss is related to his military service. The claim for an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the veteran's current condition is related to his combat exposure. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected skin condition of both feet and bilateral hearing loss were denied by the RO. The case is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's back problems in service contributed to his current low back disability, and therefore grants service connection for a low back disorder. The issues of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a nexus to his military service.

The veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which he claims was caused by exposure to tank fire during his duties in the Persian Gulf War. The case is being remanded due to incomplete medical records and a need for further examination.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection for hearing loss, diabetic polyneuropathy of the legs, and surgical residuals of the right knee were denied. The Board found no evidence to support a finding that any current disabilities are related to military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran is entitled to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, both of which are considered to be due to noise exposure during active duty.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is causally related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was rated at no more than a 30 percent disability from February 2, 1999 to August 17, 2001. Beginning on August 18, 2001, the RO increased his rating to 30 percent and has not granted any higher evaluation.

The veteran's left ear hearing loss and degenerative joint disease of the knees were granted service connection, with a non-compensable rating for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether left ear hearing loss originated during service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claims for increased compensation for malaria, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and service connection for a skin disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA).

The Board has determined that the appellant's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, lameness, and breathing problems is denied as there is no new and material evidence to reopen the claims. The current evidence does not establish a link between any of these conditions and active duty service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bursitis of the right (major) shoulder and his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of cooperation with scheduled VA examinations.

The Board has ordered the RO to address whether finality attached to the November 1982 denial of service connection for hearing loss and whether new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim. The veteran must provide a list of medical providers who have treated him for hearing loss since discharge from service, and the RO is required to obtain any relevant records not already in possession.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing impairment is being remanded for a new VA audiology examination to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss and a compensable initial evaluation for left ear hearing loss, finding that his current hearing conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.