Hearing loss decisions — 2004

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a need to obtain witness statements and review new evidence.

The Board found that the appellant's pre-service bilateral hearing loss did not increase in severity during his active duty or active duty for training, and thus denied the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The VA denied a compensable rating for the veteran's bilateral hearing loss, as his current hearing acuity levels do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable disability evaluation guidelines.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete VCAA notice and because a statement of the case on tinnitus is needed.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss warrants a 10 percent disability rating, as his pure tone thresholds and speech discrimination scores do not meet criteria for an evaluation in excess of the currently assigned 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 6100.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a chronic respiratory disorder, and thus service connection for this condition cannot be granted. The other claims were not addressed due to the RO's request for additional development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no current medical evidence of these conditions.

The veteran's claim for a compensable initial disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded to the RO for review of additional evidence and preparation of an SSOC.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for gunshot wounds to his left leg, right shoulder, and bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete development of records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of pneumonia and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there were no current symptoms or functional impairments related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD are granted, with the latter being supported by credible evidence of an in-service stressor and a link between current symptoms and the stressor. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded to obtain VA treatment records.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent, based on the current level of hearing impairment as measured by audiometric tests. The evidence does not support an increase to a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the September 2002 VA examination results.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded to the RO for further evaluation and examination.

The veteran's need for aid and attendance of another person or being housebound due to his service-connected conditions is under review. The case has been remanded for further examination.

The Board has determined that a compensable rating for the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is warranted, and thus grants an additional 10% rating.

The Board has ordered additional examinations and development due to the veteran's change of address, and will review his claims for service connection based on the new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for pleural plaques, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, and a left middle finger injury. The conditions are considered to be related to the veteran's military service.

The Board found that the appellant's hearing loss was not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence linking the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus to his military service. The RO is instructed to obtain post-service treatment records and schedule a VA otolaryngologic examination for the veteran.