Hearing loss decisions — 2004

The veteran's appeals for increased ratings for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and left arm thoracic outlet syndrome were withdrawn. The VA denied the claims for these conditions as they are not service-connected.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus of the left ear. The decision also grants a TDIU benefit, resolving this issue.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's multiple chronic conditions, not related to his service, require the regular aid and attendance of another person. His effective date for special monthly pension benefits is set at January 31, 2001.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current hearing loss in either ear for VA compensation purposes, and therefore service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has found that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss. The veteran's current right ear hearing loss is not a result of an injury or disease during active service.

The Board denied an increased rating for right ear hearing loss and declined to reopen the claim for service connection of left ear hearing loss. The veteran's current level of hearing loss in the right ear is rated at 0 percent, while his non-service-connected left ear is assigned a rating of I.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently manifested by Level X hearing in the right ear and Level XI hearing in the left ear, warranting a 90% rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that it did not warrant a grant based on the merits of the case.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an increased evaluation for bronchial asthma. The VA found no current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss, and determined that the veteran's bronchial asthma is currently evaluated at 30 percent due to his pulmonary function test results.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss but denied service connection for left ear hearing loss.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a VA audiological examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is related to in-service acoustic trauma and grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss is being remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for further examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including cervical spine disorder, voiding dysfunction, gouty and degenerative arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, bilateral hearing loss, right foot disorder, and a low back disorder. The decision also affirmed the denial of service connection for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence to support a link between these conditions and her military service.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, a sleep disorder, right ear hearing loss disability, and tinnitus. The veteran does not have PTSD or a sleep disorder related to service. Right ear hearing loss was not manifest during service nor is it related to service. Tinnitus was also not related to service.

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

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the veteran's current conditions are due to acoustic trauma incurred in service.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the veteran's claims, including obtaining records from the Social Security Administration and any service hospitalization records.