Hearing loss decisions — 2004

The Board has determined that the veteran's left ear hearing loss was aggravated by his military service and granted service connection for this condition. The grant of service connection for tinnitus is also confirmed.

The Board denied a higher disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the veteran's current level of hearing acuity warrants an 80% evaluation. The effective date for TDIU was not addressed as it pertained to a different issue.

The Board has determined that the veteran's substantive appeals with respect to the issues of service connection for a back condition, including osteoarthritis and residuals of laminectomy; osteoarthritis of both knees; hearing loss; and tinnitus were not adequate. The appeal is now vacated due to the Court's order terminating the appeal.

The veteran's death was not service-connected, and the Board denied dependency and indemnity compensation under section 1318 due to lack of entitlement based on his combined disability evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran's fungus disability of the hands and feet was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to assess the veteran's hearing loss and psychiatric condition.

The Board found that the veteran did not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss that was incurred or aggravated by active service. The evidence showed no in-service hearing loss and no medical opinion linking current hearing loss to service.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for the left inguinal hernia effective May 2001. The veteran's service-connected prostate cancer is found to be the proximate cause of his hypogonadism, and he is granted secondary service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for trench foot and granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss with an effective date of July 23, 2001. The decision also noted that the February 1946 rating decision denying service connection for hearing loss was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, low back condition, and prostate condition have been denied as new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen these previously denied claims.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board finds that the appellant's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, specifically noise exposure during his time as a radar operator in Vietnam. As such, the claims for service connection are granted.

The veteran's total disability rating based on individual unemployability was denied as he did not meet the schedular requirements for a total combined disability rating of at least 70% due to his service-connected conditions. The effective date remains unchanged at May 3, 1995.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of a nose fracture, right ear hearing loss, and jaw injury with dental trauma. The claims were denied as there was insufficient medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left ear otitis media and hearing loss do not warrant a compensable rating as there is no evidence of current suppuration or aural polyps, and his tinnitus is already separately rated.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA examination reports and treatment records related to his hearing loss. The issues of service connection for lumbar disc disease and benign prostatic hypertrophy are also pending.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, headaches, and a bilateral wrist condition due to lack of competent medical evidence supporting these conditions.

The Board has remanded this case for further development due to issues related to bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The veteran's service records do not show any evidence of hearing problems during his active duty, but he contends that current hearing loss is due to noise exposure in Vietnam. The VA examinations have found no causal link between the veteran's current hearing loss and his military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including medical examinations and obtaining relevant treatment records.