Hearing loss decisions — 2004

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under the applicable rating schedule, as his puretone thresholds were within normal limits and he did not have significant hearing impairment in either ear. The RO found no evidence of service connection for hearing loss.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and examinations. The issues of entitlement to higher ratings for post-traumatic headache and bilateral hearing loss are pending.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and development. The RO will obtain any relevant private treatment records, conduct VA examinations, and then readjudicate the claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations and failure to provide VCAA notice.

The RO granted service connection for the status post resection auricular deformity, right side and assigned a noncompensable rating. The claim of service connection for a mouth disorder is pending due to lack of evidence linking it to service. The claim of service connection for a left shoulder disorder is also pending due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudicative action due to inadequate VCAA notice, failure to consider VA audiologic examination results, and incomplete treatment records.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including another VA examination.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for benign positional vertigo, as it is secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The appeal will be remanded to allow further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and an increased disability rating for bilateral hearing loss. The evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a back disability or ear disability (to include hearing loss and tinnitus) related to his military service.

The Board found that there is no evidence showing a current diagnosis of tinnitus related to military service and denied the veteran's claim for service connection. The hearing loss claim was remanded due to incomplete medical records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and asbestosis, finding that these conditions did not begin during or as a result of his military service.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including left testicular disability, salivary gland disability, throat disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claims were found to be not related to service or exposure to ionizing radiation.

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

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and low back disorder were not incurred or aggravated in active military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a welding flash burn of the eyes, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence did not support the presence of chronic residuals attributable to these conditions during or subsequent to service.

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

The Board has granted the veteran's application to reopen his claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence has been received. The case is remanded for further development regarding these issues.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a stapedectomy of the left ear. The appeal is remanded due to further development being required.