Hearing loss decisions — 2004

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his service-connected left ear hearing loss, as it did not meet the criteria under the applicable VA Rating Schedule.

The veteran claims service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which he attributes to noise exposure during his military service. The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional examination and medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new evidence did not relate these conditions to his military service.

The VA has determined that the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his bilateral high frequency sensorineural hearing loss and dermatophytosis do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under current VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is due to disease or injury incurred in active service, and thus grants service connection for PTSD.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, specifically exposure to loud noise during active duty. As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a bilateral hearing loss disability as defined for VA compensation purposes and that any current hearing loss is not related to service. The claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied as there is no legal basis for such a rating given the existing schedular maximum.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for otitis media and hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a pre-existing condition worsening during service.

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

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss with chronic mastoiditis of the left ear, effective February 12, 2004.

The veteran's burn scars, left ear hearing loss, and residuals of right ear infections are all found to be service-connected.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his perforated left tympanic membrane and left ear hearing loss, as well as service connection for residuals of blunt chest trauma (claimed as heart disorder) and right knee trauma. The RO considered these issues but did not find any basis to grant a compensable rating or service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining audiogram findings and a new VA examination to determine if the veteran's hearing loss meets criteria set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 3.385.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss as there is no competent medical evidence that it was incurred in or aggravated by service. The lower back disorder claim was also denied, with the RO finding no evidence of a current disability related to service.,For his right wrist disorder, VA treatment records indicate he may need further evaluation at a hand clinic for potential fusion surgery. His symptoms include numbness in his right hand.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which was initially denied in January 1979. The veteran's claim is now reopened.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the veteran's current conditions are due to in-service noise exposure. The decision is based on direct service connection without any presumption or secondary link.

The veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, claiming exposure to acoustic trauma during service. The Board has ordered additional development of the claims due to incomplete records.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and right tympanic membrane perforation with tinnitus, as well as service connection for dizziness, were denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus preexisted service and were not aggravated by service. Therefore, the claims for service connection are denied.