Hearing loss decisions — 2005

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to service, including noise exposure during combat. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were aggravated by noise exposure during service, warranting service connection.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including headaches, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, Mallory-Weiss syndrome (claimed as ulcers), sinusitis, and residuals of pneumonia, were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service. The claims have been denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bronchitis, irritable bowel syndrome, restless leg syndrome, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, coronary artery disease, arthritis of the knees, hips, shoulders, elbows, and hands. The decision also denies service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to the VCAA and for additional development of evidence.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including psychiatric disability, gynecological disability, bilateral foot and ankle disabilities, right shoulder and jaw disorders, chronic headaches, allergies, and hearing loss. The decision also addressed presumptive service connection claims based on undiagnosed illnesses.

The veteran's initial claim for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was granted, and he is now seeking a higher rating. The RO has assigned him a 10 percent disability evaluation since July 9, 2003.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to unclear medical evidence regarding the veteran's exposure to asbestos and noise in service, as well as his current disabilities.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss and perforated tympanic membrane are not rated higher than the current noncompensable evaluations.,Tinnitus, as a result of the November 2000 VA procedure, is not service-connected.

The Board found that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus did not have a direct relationship to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has decided to remand the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to inadequate efforts in obtaining his National Guard medical records, as well as additional treatment records for hearing loss and hemorrhoids. The veteran will be scheduled for examinations and further development of his claims is needed.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo due to a lack of confirmed in-service stressors and medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, a lumbar spine disability, and residuals of a fracture of the left femur. The Board found that there was no evidence of an impaired hearing disability for VA compensation purposes, no diagnosed lumbar spine disorder related to active duty, and no aggravation of a pre-existing condition during service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development and adjudication of his claims, including obtaining additional records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss and scars are being reconsidered.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the veteran's bilateral hearing loss, finding that his hearing acuity did not warrant such a rating based on the results of official audiometry.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active military service, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

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

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for tinnitus was granted, and the effective date of the award is set at August 16, 2000.