Hearing loss decisions — 2004

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the earliest original claims were filed on March 29, 2002.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for compliance with VCAA requirements and further development of his claims file.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied. He is currently rated 50 percent from July 17, 1995 and 80 percent since October 24, 2002.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD due to incomplete documentation, unverified dates of service, and lack of VA examinations. The RO is instructed to obtain all necessary medical records, verify the veteran's service dates, and provide him with VA examinations.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus during the veteran's service, and there is no showing of continuity of symptomatology after service. Therefore, the claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left eye disorder is not service-connected and his bilateral hearing loss does not warrant an initial compensable rating.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted service connection for PTSD, but the veteran disagrees with the assigned rating of 50 percent for PTSD. The case is remanded to determine if a higher initial evaluation is warranted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a neck injury and hearing loss, as well as his claim for a compensable disability rating for residuals of a laceration of the left ring finger. The evidence submitted since the April 1995 denial was not considered new and material to reopen these claims.

The Board denied a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss from August 1998 to March 1999 and also denied service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his combat service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current condition was not incurred or aggravated during active duty service and attributing it to occupational noise exposure after separation.

The VA determined that the veteran's hearing loss of the left ear does not warrant a compensable evaluation, resulting in a denial.

The Board has determined that the veteran's asthma and bilateral hearing loss were aggravated by his military service, warranting service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations were denied. The TDIU claim was also denied as the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are due to service, specifically acoustic trauma during World War II. As a result, both conditions have been granted service connection.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a VA audiological examination.

The Board has determined that the current evaluation of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss is appropriate, as it accurately reflects the severity of the veteran's disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, including right ear hearing loss, bilateral knee condition, bilateral ankle condition, and headaches. The claims are therefore denied.

The veteran is seeking service connection for right ear hearing loss that she claims is secondary to her service-connected trigeminal neuralgia. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.