Hearing loss decisions — 2004

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss in both ears, but denied reopening of the claim for right ear hearing loss due to lack of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss in the right ear due to new and material evidence. The initial evaluation for diabetes mellitus remains at 10%.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for a stomach disorder and psychiatric disorder due to potential need for further medical examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the May 28, 2002 filing was his first valid claim after final decisions in 1982 and 1989.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The VA found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for otitis media, granted a separate 10 percent rating for tinnitus as of June 10, 1999, and denied compensation for bilateral conductive hearing loss. The veteran's right knee arthrotomy residuals were rated appropriately.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a disability manifested by musculoskeletal chest wall pain or hearing loss in the right ear related to military service and therefore, denied his claims for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a rating in excess of 30 percent for hypertensive heart disease, a compensable original disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, and an original disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus. The appeals were based on direct service connection.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 and proper notification regarding reductions in disability ratings. The issues on appeal include entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, as well as reduction from 10 percent to noncompensable.

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

The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date of May 29, 2002 for a 40 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss. The RO assigned this effective date based on the first date that objectively established entitlement to such a rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss began during his active service and is related to loud noise exposure. As a result, the Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and asbestosis, finding no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor could they be presumed to have been incurred during service. The evidence did not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection and a 30 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that December 17, 2001 was the earliest communication from the veteran expressing intent to reopen his claim.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that both conditions originated in service due to combat-related acoustic trauma. The veteran's tinnitus is considered secondary to his service-connected hearing loss.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection of a stomach disorder and hearing loss. The veteran's original claims were denied due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions in service or post-service.

The Board denied the veteran's requests to reopen his claims for service connection of a right knee disability, defective hearing of the right ear, and a right eye disorder due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board found that the veteran's current left ear hearing loss is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss was caused by barometric pressure changes in service and grants the claim of service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.