Hearing loss decisions — 2004

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding that new evidence submitted since previous decisions supports these claims. The claim of service connection for hypertension was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board previously denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss. The case is now remanded to the RO for further development in accordance with the Veterans Benefits Act of 2003.

The veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, and also wants to know if he was entitled to a compensable rating prior to June 2002. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional development.

The veteran is granted service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to credible supporting evidence of his in-service experiences. The claims for hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded for further development.

The Board found that new evidence submitted since the 1971 administrative determination supports reopening of the claim for service connection for hearing loss. However, the Board concluded that there is no evidence to support a finding that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service.

The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable disability rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss, and thus denied the claim.

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

The veteran's initial rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted at 20 percent. The RO is instructed to seek additional medical records, including from Mr. Steve Dyke and the Better Sound Hearing Aid Service, and request evidence of employment interference due to his hearing loss. A VA audiological examination should be arranged to assess the impact on work.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to lack of response to scheduled examinations, failure to report for VA evaluations, and insufficient evidence supporting his claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and the need for additional evidence, including VA treatment records from Louisville VAMC dated in February 1992.

The Board found that the veteran does not currently have a hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulations and denied her claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected disabilities, including incomplete paralysis of the right ulnar nerve, limitation of motion of the cervical spine, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a scar on the occipital region of the upper neck. The claim for malaria was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if the veteran has bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus related to his military service. The diabetes mellitus claim is also pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are denied. The left ear hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, while the residuals of a fractured right foot, presbyopia of the right eye, and electrolyte imbalance were not found to be related to service or meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has granted service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the veteran's statements regarding combat exposure are consistent with his service record. The claims for residuals of a head injury and back injury are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss, which was previously denied in August 1998. As a result, the claim is now reopened.

The Board denied an increased rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a compensable evaluation.

The veteran's hearing loss disability is attributable to service, and the Board has determined that it was incurred therein.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current right knee disorder, left knee disorder, hearing loss, or tinnitus related to service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The VA has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, assigning a 10 percent evaluation in each case. The RO found that the veteran's hearing loss does not meet the criteria for an evaluation higher than 10 percent under the applicable rating schedule, and similarly, there is no exceptional pattern of hearing impairment or other basis to warrant a higher evaluation. For his tinnitus, the VA has also denied the claim, as it did not find any evidence of an exceptional pattern of hearing impairment that would allow for a separate evaluation.