Hearing loss decisions — 2004

The veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA audiometry examination. The combined disability rating issue remains pending.

The medical evidence of record indicates that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not etiologically related to his military service.

The veteran's PTSD is manifested by symptoms such as insomnia, nightmares, intrusive recollections of Vietnam, hypervigilance, nervousness, poor appetite, social isolation, and depression. The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for further medical examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for right ear hearing loss and assignment of a 40 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found that the veteran's tinnitus and hearing loss were not incurred in or aggravated by his military service, as there was no current diagnosis of these conditions and no evidence linking them to service. The examiner opined that it is less than likely that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to military noise exposure.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and determining exposure to asbestos.

The Board found that the veteran's hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated during service, but granted a motion for review of prior decisions due to clear and unmistakable error (CUE).

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence to support these conditions as being related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for compensable ratings for right ear and bilateral hearing loss during specified periods, finding that the evidence did not warrant higher ratings based on VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ear hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating under any applicable criteria, and his tinnitus is already at its maximum schedular evaluation. The appeal for increased ratings is therefore denied.

The veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which he contends is due to exposure to noise during his military service. The case has been remanded for further development including obtaining missing service medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine if the veteran's current hearing impairment and tinnitus are related to his active service, including exposure to acoustic trauma during his time on board the USS Sangamon.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not due to noise exposure in service.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss during service or post-service, and denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service medical records and incomplete examination reports. The veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are being evaluated for potential service connection.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to inadequate development of the record, including obtaining pertinent medical records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of the appellant's service-connected tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss conditions. The claim will be reconsidered in light of any additional evidence received.