Hearing loss decisions — 2004

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining missing service records and arranging for VA examinations. The veteran's claims for service connection are pending.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a right eye injury and bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the evidence supports these claims based on in-service trauma.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his pre-existing condition existed prior to service and there was no evidence of aggravation during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence and the need for a VA audiology examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, finding no evidence of such conditions during his active military service.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is causally related to his exposure to excessive noise during service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board found no evidence of a link between the veteran's military service and his current diagnosed conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, bilateral otitis media, and tinnitus. Therefore, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the RO's decision denying service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus should be remanded to allow for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ear hearing loss was aggravated by his military noise exposure, warranting service connection. The cervical spine disability is found to be at least as likely as not related to in-service neck pain.

The case is being returned to the RO for additional development due to new evidence and a remand order.

The Board found that the veteran's current hearing loss was not present during service or within a year after separation, and is not attributable to any event or injury during service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service, exposure to loud noise during service, or a service connected disability. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board found that the veteran does not have impaired hearing as defined by VA, and thus does not meet the criteria for service connection for hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records from the veteran's National Guard service and scheduling a VA examination to determine if his hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for VCAA compliance and further development of his claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and vascular disease of the lower extremities were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence does not show a nexus between these conditions and military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a video conference hearing at the RO. The case will be returned to the Board following appropriate appellate procedure.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for restoration of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for tinnitus. The decision is final.