Hearing loss decisions — 2004

The Board has found that the February 1958 rating decision severing service connection for bilateral hearing loss was clearly and unmistakably erroneous, thus reinstating service connection as of March 1, 1958.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of in-service noise exposure or acoustic trauma that could link these conditions to the veteran's military service.

The Board denied service connection for a right eye condition, hearing loss, and rheumatism or gouty arthritis as there was no medical evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the veteran did not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, or bilateral hearing loss due to service. The claims were denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural errors and the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing VCAA notice.

The appellant's service-connected disabilities do not meet the basic eligibility requirements for a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing under 38 U.S.C.A. § 2101(a) due to lack of anatomical loss or use of both hands and blindness in both eyes.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for further development of records and verification of service dates. The claims for hearing loss and tinnitus will be reconsidered after these actions.

The veteran's post traumatic stress disorder is rated at 30 percent, and his bilateral hearing loss remains noncompensable. The appeal for increased ratings has been granted.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus due to outstanding VA medical records and further examination by an otolaryngologist.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, warranting service connection for these conditions. Headaches were also found to be incurred in service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the criteria for these ratings were not met.

The Board finds that the veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition. The claim of service connection for nasopharyngeal carcinoma, to include as secondary to Agent Orange exposure, is also granted.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating, as it is currently rated at 0 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, hemorrhagic fever, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to April 2, 2001 for the grant of a total rating for compensation based upon individual unemployability due to lack of evidence showing he became unemployable within one year of that date and because his service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria for such a rating.

The veteran has been granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which was aggravated in service.,Service connection is denied for testicular cancer as the condition did not manifest within a year of separation from service and there is no evidence linking it to exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current hearing loss is related to noise exposure during his service in the Navy, specifically on the U.S.S. Dyess, and grants service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The VA has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability does not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected oropharyngodynia was withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.