Hearing loss decisions — 2004

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not warrant an initial rating greater than noncompensable, based on audiometric test results from October 1999 to July 2002.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for further development due to issues related to his hemorrhoids, hearing loss, and lumbar strain. The appeals on whether a timely appeal was filed on the neck and arm disorder issues have been dismissed.

The veteran's claims for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for his bilateral hearing loss and for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for this condition are being remanded due to procedural issues related to the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA).

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for back disability and granted service connection for PTSD. The claims for hip disability, bilateral hearing loss, and anxiety neurosis are denied.

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

The Board denied a claim for an increased disability evaluation for hearing loss of the left ear, finding that the veteran's service-connected hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's rating schedule.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral hearing loss and intervertebral disc syndrome with moderate degenerative changes, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable VA criteria.

The Board has determined that additional development is required to substantiate the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss. The RO must verify the claimed stressors, obtain relevant medical records, and conduct a VA examination to determine if the veteran meets the criteria for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating, resulting in a denial of his appeal.

The Board has determined that the case requires additional development to ensure compliance with VA's duty to assist and notification requirements, including obtaining medical records and verifying service dates.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations to assess his right knee and bilateral hearing impairment.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of February 22, 2001 for a 20 percent disability evaluation for bilateral hearing loss. The decision found that there was no evidence showing an increase in disability prior to February 22, 2001.

The veteran was granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to in-service acoustic trauma.,Medical evidence established that the veteran's PTSD is related to his military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA audiometry examination.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, stomach disorder, low back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and cellulitis and tinea barbae. The reasons are that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active military service.

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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher evaluation for left ear hearing loss and service connection for an umbilical hernia. The decision found that no evidence contradicted the audiometric readings showing level XI hearing impairment in the left ear and level I hearing impairment in the right ear, which equated to the maximum permitted 10% disability rating.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of cold injuries to the hands and increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The veteran's claims are denied for increased evaluations.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and the need for further examination. The veteran is seeking service connection for hearing loss and perforated eardrums, which are likely related to in-service noise exposure during aircraft gunnery school.