Hearing loss decisions — 2005

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a failure of the veteran to attend a scheduled VA examination and because the RO did not present his file to an appropriate examiner.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate examination report, and the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is now pending with the RO.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, arthritis of multiple joints, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence showing these conditions began during or were otherwise related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran requested to withdraw their appeal, and as a result, the case has been dismissed.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and posttraumatic head injury (claimed as headaches, vertigo, and depression) due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and headaches, as due to undiagnosed illness or other qualifying, chronic disability. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a current disability.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and TDIU due to lack of evidence linking the current condition to military service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's bilateral hearing loss, which was present at entry into service and did not worsen during his active duty service, is not service-connected.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not due to noise exposure during service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss was increased to a 20% rating effective from April 1, 2003.

The VA determined that the veteran's current hearing loss is not causally related to his active service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and awarded an effective date of February 6, 2003. Service connection for left ear hearing loss was denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and chronic bronchitis were denied. Service connection was granted for TMJ locking on the right side, low back strain, and tendonitis of both ankles. Initial ratings were assigned at 10% for TMJ and low back strain, and 0% for ankle tendonitis.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, defective hearing (bilateral high frequency hearing loss), and tinnitus. The evidence now supports a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss warrants a 60 percent disability rating, effective from the date of his claim. The July 2005 audiometric results supported this decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is etiologically related to his military service and grants his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's left ear hearing loss and right eye disorder were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The RO provided VA examinations, but did not obtain a medical opinion regarding the nexus between any current right eye disorder and an injury in service.