Hearing loss decisions — 2004

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and employment-related records.

The veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which he contends is due to in-service noise exposure. The VA audiology examination did not reveal current hearing loss that meets the VA standard set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 3.385. The Board has decided to remand the case for another VA audiological examination.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for hearing loss and tinnitus due to a failure to report for a VA examination, and requests that he provide good cause if unable to attend. The RO is instructed to schedule an examination by a specialist in ear disorders.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for sinusitis and bilateral hearing loss, but granted a compensable rating for his service-connected tinnitus. The claim for service connection for vertigo was remanded due to further development being needed.

The Board found that the July 2000 rating decision, which granted a 10 percent rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss effective March 23, 2000 (later changed to February 23, 2000), was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right hip disability, allergic rhinitis, nephrolithiasis (claimed as kidney stones), gastroesophageal reflux disease, and right foot metatarsalgia. The RO granted service connection for arthritis of the right shoulder and cervical spine but assigned a 10 percent rating.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for service connection for post traumatic stress disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and arteriosclerotic heart disease due to a lack of competent medical evidence showing current disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not warrant a rating in excess of the currently assigned noncompensable evaluations.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA audiological evaluation and obtaining any relevant medical records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for arthritis and bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that new and material evidence had not been presented to reopen the claim for arthritis. The decision also found no evidence linking the current hearing loss disability to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, a cervical spine disorder, and arthritis of the knees and legs. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right foot injury, PTSD, and left middle finger disability. The veteran's claims were not granted.

The veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the unavailability of his service medical records. The VA is instructed to obtain any relevant treatment records from private physicians and conduct VA audiological and orthopedic examinations to determine the current nature and likely etiology of these conditions.

The veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to procedural deficiencies in the notification provided under the VCAA.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the current ratings adequately reflected the severity of his disabilities. The service connection claims for pulmonary fibrosis and tuberculosis were also denied.

The VA determined that there is no evidence of current bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus present at separation from service. The veteran's current conditions are not related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes and there is no evidence of sinusitis or gastroenteritis during service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete service medical records and the need for further development.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and right arm shell fragment wound residuals were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and residuals of a left eye injury (including macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma, and uveitis) as new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen these claims.