Hearing loss decisions — 2005

The veteran does not have left ear or right ear hearing loss that is the result of disease or injury incurred in or aggravated during active military service, and his tinnitus is not related to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary in the present case, including an audiological examination to assess the severity of the veteran's right ear hearing loss. The claim will be remanded for further action.

The veteran's initial ratings for bipolar disorder and bronchitis have been granted. The veteran is entitled to a compensable rating for his left ankle fracture, effective March 29, 2004. His claim of entitlement to separate 10 percent ratings for tinnitus in each ear lacks legal merit. He is not entitled to a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss and service connection for right ear hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for further development. The case will be re-adjudicated after the issuance of a Statement of Case for the issue of entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the veteran's hearing problems began in service due to noise exposure. The Board also found service connection for residuals of a broken nose, attributing this to an inservice injury.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes, but service connection is granted for tinnitus as it was incurred in service.

The Board found no evidence of a right knee, back, hearing loss, or tinnitus disorder in service and denied the veteran's claims for these conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, scarring of the left ear, headaches, and residuals of a head wound. The evidence received is considered duplicative or insufficient to establish a nexus between these conditions and service.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss and anxiety disorder are not shown to be incurred in or aggravated by military service. The appeal for increased evaluation of the anxiety disorder is denied.

The case is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing and further development of the claims.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD are pending.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the veteran's hearing loss claims, as the current examination report was inadequate for appellate purposes.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verifying the veteran's status as a combat veteran and scheduling an audiological examination to determine the nature and extent of his hearing loss and tinnitus.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service connected and has been rated at a 10 percent disability level since June 26, 2002.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and consideration of his claims, including service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as a compensable rating for scars. The case will be returned to the Board after additional development.

The RO has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, but the veteran is still seeking a higher rating for his bilateral hearing loss. The case is being remanded to obtain VA outpatient treatment records from East Orange VAMC.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated in his active duty service or ACDUTRA, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA audiological evaluation to determine the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss disability.