Hearing loss decisions — 2004

The VA denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for hearing loss in his left ear and service connection for a left leg disability. The veteran's current left leg disability was not present during service and is not related to service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding new and material evidence. The Board also granted these claims, concluding that the current conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA audiological and psychiatric examination to determine if the veteran's hearing loss and depression are related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA disability evaluation guidelines.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current right arm injury residuals, hearing loss, or tinnitus. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not begin during service or due to any incident of service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has granted a rating of 30 percent for the service-connected bilateral hearing loss, effective as of the date of this decision.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and a disability characterized by ear infections, but the initial rating for right ear hearing loss remains pending.

The Board has denied service connection for multiple joint pain, hearing loss, headaches, a neck disorder, and a condition manifested by a low white blood cell count as there is no current medical diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss in his left ear and tinnitus are related to service, with the right ear hearing loss being noted at entry but not worsening during service. The residuals of asbestos exposure claim is denied.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further action, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations have been denied. The RO has not provided a compensable evaluation for hepatitis-B or right-sided carpal tunnel syndrome.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his claimed conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service medical records and the need for additional VA examinations. The veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are pending.

The Board found that the appellant did not have any of the claimed conditions during service or within one year after separation, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has reopened the claim for PTSD due to new evidence, but denied a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability in December 1998. The effective date was set at February 17, 2000, based on a reopened claim submitted by the veteran.

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

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension due to its aggravation during active military service. The other issues of entitlement to service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left hip, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a left ear disorder, claimed as hearing loss. The evidence submitted since the November 1995 RO determination is new and material, meeting the requirements to reopen the claim.