Hearing loss decisions — 2005

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss or GERD symptoms warranting a compensable evaluation, thus denying the veteran's increased evaluation claims.

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

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for pulmonary sarcoidosis and an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The claims of service connection for varicose veins and bilateral hearing loss will be reconsidered after this process.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an increased rating for his right knee disability, finding that there was no current evidence of a hearing loss disability meeting VA criteria.

The Board determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not manifest within one year of discharge from active duty, and there is no evidence showing a continuity of symptoms. The VA examiner found no evidence to support a finding that current bilateral hearing loss is related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are not related to service.,There is no evidence of a chronic disability during or within one year after service.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was initially rated at zero percent from December 10, 1998 through December 8, 2003. From December 9, 2003 to April 4, 2005, the rating was increased to 20 percent. Effective April 5, 2005, a 10 percent rating has been assigned.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that no new and material evidence was presented.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of a lacerated left ring finger and a thyroid condition, to include as a result of exposure to ionizing radiation, must be remanded due to incomplete development.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of in-service acoustic trauma or a current disability related to military service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted service connection based on direct evidence of in-service noise exposure. Service connection was also granted for tinnitus. No rating assigned as no effective date provided.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, rhinitis, gastritis with GERD, arthritis of both hands, lumbar strain, strained right shoulder with slap lesion, and tinea pedis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current disability in any of these conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a residual scar, status post cyst removal, left ear. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen his previously denied hearing loss claim is considered 'mixed' as some issues were granted while others were not.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU benefits based on these conditions.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as new and material evidence was not submitted. His claim for PTSD remains denied.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that the veteran's current hearing loss is due to his in-service acoustic trauma. The issues of left ear hearing loss and a nervous disorder are referred back to the RO for further action.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, concluding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by active military service, nor are they related to a service-connected disability. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's preexisting hearing loss was aggravated by noise exposure during service, resulting in current profound bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.