Hearing loss decisions — 2004

The Board has remanded the case to determine if the veteran's current hearing loss is related to his service-connected otitis externa. The claims for both bilateral hearing loss and residuals of otitis externa remain in appellate status.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is causally related to service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the appellant's right ear hearing loss was incurred during his period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and granted service connection. The initial compensable rating for residuals of a right ring finger injury is set at 10 percent.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities effectively confine him to a wheelchair and preclude locomotion, meeting the criteria for specially adapted housing assistance.

The veteran's claims of increased evaluations and earlier effective dates for his service-connected conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional development under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA).

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn before a decision could be made.

The Board has remanded the case to the VBA AMC for a de novo review of the denial of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, in accordance with the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.2600.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to the veteran's active duty service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA audiometric examination.

The veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for right ear hearing loss and service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue, tonsil, mandible, and oropharyngeal wall due to herbicide exposure is being remanded for further development.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and information regarding his employment status.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new and material evidence. The issues of service connection for tinnitus are further addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation of his service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss disability is pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is as likely as not due to noise exposure during military service, and grants service connection for this condition.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is service-connected, with the condition being deemed to have been caused by noise exposure during military service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current back disability and right ear hearing loss are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of such disabilities during or within one year after service. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted it, finding that the veteran's current hearing loss is related to military noise exposure.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus. The claim for heart palpitations is pending as further evaluation by VA is needed.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not begin during service and was not caused by any incident of service. As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.