Hearing loss decisions — 2004

The Board found no evidence of current bilateral hearing loss or any in-service noise exposure that could be linked to the veteran's claimed condition, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted an effective date of July 24, 1998 for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and has determined that a rating greater than 10 percent is warranted.

The Board finds that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is causally related to his exposure to noise during service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to procedural deficiencies and the need for additional development.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and service, nor any nexus with tinnitus. Therefore, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his in-service noise exposure and granted service connection for this disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service connection for multiple lipomas, claimed as secondary to herbicide exposure, is granted. The effective date remains pending further review.

The VA determined that the veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes and denied his claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. For chronic sinusitis, there is no evidence of current diagnosis or treatment.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The VA determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his active service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a nexus opinion regarding the etiology of his hearing loss and its relation to military service. The RO must also consider the potential applicability of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1154(b) with regard to combat veterans.

The veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected hypertension has been denied. The current evaluation of 10% is maintained.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to insufficient evidence of his current hearing loss severity. The RO must ensure compliance with all notification and development actions required by the VCAA, review the claims file again after a VA audiologic examination, and then make a decision based on the updated information.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, specifically his exposure as a gunner in World War II. As such, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, ankylosing spondylitis, and defective vision. The remaining issues on appeal are mixed (some granted, some not).

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, or that any such disability was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has granted service connection for a hearing loss disability in the left ear, finding that it was incurred during active military duty. The veteran's lay statements and medical evidence support this determination.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current left ear hearing loss or tinnitus, and therefore cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to procedural issues and potential need for additional evidence regarding the veteran's service in the Army National Guard.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including urethral stricture, finding that no new and material evidence had been received to reopen the claim for bilateral hearing loss. The Board also determined that there was insufficient medical evidence to establish a link between the claimed conditions and active service.