Hearing loss decisions — 2000

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation, as his current average puretone decibel hearing loss is 62 bilaterally with speech recognition scores of 80 percent in the right ear and 92 percent in the left ear. The evidence did not support an increased rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for reimbursement of medical expenses incurred at a non-VA hospital in January 1999, finding that the care was not authorized and did not meet the criteria for payment under VA regulations.

The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional notification and development under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted, with resolution of reasonable doubt in favor of the veteran.

The Board has denied service connection for impaired vision, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection and for increased evaluations of his bilateral hearing loss disability. The decision also noted that the veteran had not filed a timely notice of disagreement with previous denials.

The Board has determined that the veteran's knee strain and tinnitus are related to his active service, but hypertension is not established. The decision denies all other claims.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred as a result of his exposure to acoustic trauma during service. Therefore, the appeal for service connection is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the disability existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluation of right wrist fracture, service connection for right knee disability, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and back disability. The RO found that there was no evidence to support a higher rating or service connection for these conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a head injury, detached retina, and bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions or their relationship to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and low back disability, finding that the evidence did not warrant an increase in rating under either the old or new criteria.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were evaluated, but the RO denied increased ratings for both conditions.

The evidence submitted since the June 1956 rating decision includes medical evidence of tinnitus that is service connected and statements by the veteran which are significant enough to consider in deciding the merits of the claim. As a result, the veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss disorder is reopened.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and found that the appellant's psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and dysthymia, is a lifetime impairment sufficient to render him unemployable. The veteran also meets the criteria for non-service connected pension due to his disabilities.

The Board granted service connection and assigned a 60 percent rating for coronary artery disease, effective from April 1996. The ratings for intervertebral disc syndrome at L4-L5 level were also granted, with the higher rating of 40 percent effective from May 12, 1998.

The VA has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation, as his hearing acuity consistently falls within Level II and III on audiometric testing.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sensorineural hearing loss of the right ear and bilateral tinea pedis and onychomycosis of the nails of the feet, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his active duty.

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