Hearing loss decisions — 2004

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his bilateral hearing loss, currently rated at 10 percent. The evidence showed that the veteran had a current average puretone threshold in both ears and speech recognition ability of 96%, which did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The veteran's PTSD has been granted a 100% disability rating, effective from the date of the decision. The left ear hearing loss remains at a 10% disability rating. Service connection for neuropathy is granted.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied as the objective medical evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to determine the severity of his bilateral hearing loss disability, and then for further adjudication.

The case is being remanded to the RO for further development of service records and VA medical records. The veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

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

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that his test results did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for hearing loss. The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be incurred in active military service, and service connection is granted.

The Board found that the veteran does not have current bilateral hearing loss by VA standards and denied service connection for tinnitus as it did not manifest during or within a year of service.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for a compensable initial rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not meet the schedular criteria for such a rating.

The Board has ordered additional development to be completed in order to properly evaluate the veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and arranging for VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and the need for further development, including a review of the veteran's claims file by an examiner.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The RO found that there was no competent medical evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board found that the veteran's service records did not show any in-service hearing loss or tinnitus, and his current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating, finding no evidence of chronic conditions in service or that they are related to service. The initial ratings assigned were upheld.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of PTSD was granted and assigned a 70 percent rating effective October 15, 2002. The issues of service connection for seizures and blackouts, arthritis of the left great toe, and entitlement to higher initial evaluations for PTSD prior to May 24, 2000 are pending.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently evaluated as noncompensably disabling, and the Board has granted this evaluation.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination.

The veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability evaluation for pension purposes was denied as he does not have one nonservice-connected disability rated at 60 percent or more, nor do his disabilities bring the combined rating to 70 percent or more. The Board found that the veteran is not permanently and totally disabled due to nonservice-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss.