Hearing loss decisions — 2004

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for a VA audiology evaluation to determine the current severity of his left ear hearing loss.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic acquired bilateral knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and acne. The Board found that a chronic acquired bilateral knee disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor is one proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by service-connected residuals of a back injury. Bilateral hearing loss was not shown in active service, nor is it presumed for organic disease of the nervous system (sensorineural hearing loss). The Board also found that preexisting acne did not permanently worsen during active service.

The Board found that the veteran's current right ear hearing loss disability is not related to his military service, as it was not shown during service and did not manifest within one year of separation. The claim for service connection for hearing loss of the right ear is therefore denied.

The veteran is seeking an increased evaluation for his service-connected Meniere's disease with hearing loss and the propriety of a reduction in disability evaluation. The case has been remanded to ensure all notification and development actions required by the VCAA are met.

The VA determined that the veteran's current 10 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss is not sufficient, and denied his claim for an increased rating.

The Board denied the veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding no new and material evidence that would support a grant of service connection.

The veteran's hearing loss in the right ear is rated as noncompensable (0 percent) since March 2001, and no higher rating is warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his bilateral hearing loss, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no persuasive medical nexus evidence to support these conditions during his military service.

The RO denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted service connection with an initial noncompensable evaluation for a left hand injury. The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 22, 2001 for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and residuals of a testicular injury are not related to his military service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development and notification under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation prior to June 19, 2003, and against a rating in excess of 10 percent from that date. The effective date claim was also denied.

The veteran's hearing loss in the left ear was found to be incurred in service, and he is granted a 50 percent evaluation for PTSD prior to April 23, 1999. The veteran is also granted a 100 percent evaluation for PTSD since that date.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and an evaluation of tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated during active service, nor may it be presumed to have been so incurred.

The veteran's service-connected right ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the claim for an increased rating has been denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and right tympanic membrane perforation are related to his active service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and skin cancer due to exposure to ionizing radiation prior to a decision being made by the Board.