Hearing loss decisions — 2004

The Board granted service connection for the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, assigning a 10 percent rating effective from May 23, 2002. The veteran is not entitled to higher initial ratings for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and an initial disability rating of 30 percent for the veteran's skin condition (tinea versicolor). The issues regarding bilateral hearing loss, seizure disorder, and a higher rating for the skin condition are still pending.

The veteran's service-connected right ear hearing loss is currently rated as Level III, warranting a noncompensable rating. The Board finds that the veteran's skin disability (diagnosed as eczema) was incurred during his active duty service and granted service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claim for an increase in rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need to comply with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 and provide additional development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tympanic membrane perforation, finding that he was not entitled to a compensable rating at any time during the period in question.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the previously denied claims for service connection for residuals of right hand, knee, hip, nose injury, and hearing loss.

The Board has determined that further development is required with regard to the veteran's claim for entitlement to service connection for obstructive lung disease. Accordingly, this claim is the subject of a remand at the end of this decision.

The Board has reopened the claims of entitlement to service connection for anemia, kidney disease, headaches, sinusitis, a stomach condition, and right-sided hearing loss. However, it remains unclear whether these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service due to lack of substantial evidence.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss. The claim for hepatitis was reopened on new evidence, but the other conditions are not supported by the evidence presented.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss disability and chronic bilateral tinnitus, but remanded the issue of right ear hearing loss disability due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and a 10 percent evaluation for bilateral hearing loss. The claims of reopening the previously denied claims for Meniere's disease and a back disorder are remanded to the RO.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was denied, as his symptoms were consistent with a mild disability.,The veteran's claim to reopen the hearing loss disability claim was granted due to new and material evidence submitted.

The Board found that the appellant's current sensorineural hearing loss, right ear did not manifest within one year of separation from service and was not related to his military service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the veteran's current conditions are related to his active duty noise exposure during World War II.,Both bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were determined to be incurred in service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development and consideration.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to his military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for a VA compensation examination. The veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is pending.

The Board has decided in favor of the veteran, granting service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have bilateral hearing loss or PTSD related to his service and therefore denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for an initial compensable rating under VA regulations.