Hearing loss decisions — 2004

The VA determined that the veteran's hearing loss in his left ear is not more than zero percent disabling, as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on the audiometric test results.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a back disability, and a left leg disability. The decision found no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for proper VCAA notice and a VA examination by a state-licensed audiologist.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss of the right ear and determined that new and material evidence had been submitted. The Board concluded that the veteran's hearing loss in the right ear was incurred during active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under VA's disability evaluation criteria.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss due to new and material evidence. The skin disability claim remains pending as it is not related to service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not begin during service and is not related to any in-service event or condition, including noise exposure. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, finding that the earliest submission expressing intent to apply again was August 13, 2001.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for vertigo, damaged eardrums, and an initial increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has granted an increased evaluation of 50 percent for the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, effective from the date of claim.

The veteran's DIC claim was denied because he did not meet the requirement of having received total service-connected disability compensation for at least ten years immediately preceding his death.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for further examination. The appellant's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are pending.

The Board found that the veteran's hearing loss condition preexisted service and was not aggravated by active duty. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board found that the appellant's current hearing loss, tinnitus, and atrial fibrillation are related to his active military service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for a compensable initial rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that the disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on the audiometric evaluations conducted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service and grants entitlement to service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's current hearing loss disability was not incurred in service and is not related to his service-connected cerebrospinal meningitis.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and residuals of scarlet fever. Further development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to military service.