Hearing loss decisions — 2000

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various orthopedic conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and ankle and knee disorders. The decision found that there was no evidence of a current disability in some cases or that the disabilities were not related to service.

The Board granted a 20 percent evaluation for the veteran's degenerative spondyloarthrosis with chronic low back syndrome of the lumbosacral spine, and denied an increased rating for his left ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and lumbar back disorder are all related to his service. The evidence supports a finding of in-service noise exposure leading to hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as an inservice low back injury resulting in a current disability.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including audiometry and visual examinations to determine the etiology of his current hearing loss and eye conditions.

The Board has granted a 20% rating for low back strain, a 10% rating for left ear hearing loss, and a 10% rating for tinnitus. The veteran's conditions are all rated based on their direct service connection without any presumption or secondary theory.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings of his left arm laceration and bilateral hearing loss disability, as well as his claim for service connection for hepatitis C. The appeal regarding low back strain was remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new evidence supports a finding of in-service onset. The claims are granted.

The Board found no current left ear hearing loss disability and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD, but denied the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service stressor.

The veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus was denied, and his claim for an increased disability evaluation for a bilateral hearing loss disability remains pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran is entitled to additional SMC by reason of need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities other than loss of use of both feet.

The veteran's claim for vocational rehabilitation training under Chapter 31 was denied because his education and work experience qualified him for suitable employment, despite having a service-connected disability.

The veteran's hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The veteran's initial noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss remains appropriate based on the current evaluation criteria.

The veteran's appeal for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was dismissed as the appellant withdrew his appeal before a decision could be made by the Board.

The veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and entitlement to an increased evaluation for keloid scar of the left ear have been granted. Service connection for hearing loss is pending.

The veteran's right ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board has determined that a compensable rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, and other conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied the claims for tinnitus and an increased rating for PTSD.