Hearing loss decisions — 2004

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of January 15, 2002, for service connection of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. The decision is based on the fact that the veteran did not file a formal or informal claim prior to this date and no new evidence was submitted after his initial claim in April 1950.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not warrant such a rating.

The Board denied the veteran's application to reopen his claim of service connection for renal disability and to a compensable evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss. The evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claims, and there was no new and material evidence presented.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for additional development and consideration of the veteran's claims due to failure to obtain initial RO consideration of new evidence, and insufficient notice for a scheduled hearing.

VA denied the veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for arterial hypertension, migraine headache with post-traumatic exacerbation, PTSD, peptic ulcer disease and hepatitis C, right shoulder pain, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, facial and scalp rash, and sinusitis and rhinitis.,VA denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder pain, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, facial and scalp rash, and sinusitis and rhinitis. However, VA granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 10 percent evaluation effective August 1, 2000.,VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for peptic ulcer disease and hepatitis C.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding no evidence of a link between current conditions and service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss of the right ear is being remanded due to a lack of review of the claims file by the VA examiner.

The veteran's appeal involves claims for effective dates and increased ratings related to his service-connected tinnitus and right ear hearing loss. The case is being remanded due to inadequate VCAA notice and the need for a new VA audiological examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for a lung disorder and bilateral hearing loss require additional development, including obtaining medical examinations and records.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claims are granted as new and material evidence was received, but no rating or effective date is assigned due to the nature of the decision.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to obtain medical records and provide proper VCAA notice.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to provide adequate notice of the provisions of the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 and other VCAA requirements. The appellant's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss will be reviewed in conjunction with these new regulations.

The veteran's claims for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and low back disorder were all denied as there is no evidence of a connection between the conditions and active service. There are also no presumptions of exposure due to military service (e.g., burn pit, Agent Orange).

The veteran's TDIU claim is granted as his combined disability rating of 70% meets the criteria for a TDIU rating due to unemployability caused by his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which was previously denied in September 1997.

The veteran's claim for a compensable disability evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and ensuring compliance with VCAA notice requirements.

The Board found that the veteran's current hearing impairment is more likely due to post-service noise exposure, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, concluding that there was no evidence linking his current hearing impairment to his military service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the unavailability of his service medical records and the need for a VA examination.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating.