Hearing loss decisions — 2000

The Board found that the veteran's claim of service connection for left ear hearing loss was not well grounded due to lack of evidence meeting VA standards. The low back disability issue is remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are not well-grounded and therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's skin condition and hearing loss are service-connected, with no presumption or secondary connection involved. The evidence supports a finding of in-service onset for both conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and an increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for hearing loss, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left shoulder disability was incurred during his period of active duty. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not well grounded.

The VA denied a compensable evaluation for the veteran's bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current level of hearing impairment does not warrant such an evaluation.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) has determined that the December 31, 1958 decision denying restoration of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE). As a result, the Board has reversed this decision and restored service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was not well grounded due to lack of medical evidence linking his current condition to service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss is being remanded due to the lack of available service medical records. The RO will attempt to obtain these records and determine if they support the veteran's claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a higher evaluation, as it currently meets the criteria for a 10% rating under the applicable VA rating schedule. The appeal is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss on both a direct and secondary basis, finding that there was no competent evidence linking her current hearing loss to her military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant an increased evaluation, as it currently meets the criteria for a noncompensable rating under the applicable VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Board finds that the veteran's claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder is well-grounded and sufficient to establish service connection. The evidence shows back pain in service, continued treatment post-service, and diagnosis of lumbar paraspinal muscular strain and spasm.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss and vertigo are not well-grounded. The evidence does not support a finding of a nexus between current disabilities and service.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an effective date prior to November 24, 1997 for the grant of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for the residuals of a rib fracture, hearing loss, and chest injury. The decision found that new evidence did not reopen the claim for the residuals of a rib fracture, and there was no current evidence of a hearing loss disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of audiological records from the Decatur, Georgia VA Medical Center. The veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for hearing loss will be reviewed after these records are obtained.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and has reopened the claim to reopen for service connection of low back disability. The veteran's current arthritis is considered to be superimposed on his previously service-connected fracture.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected perforated left tympanic membrane and left ear hearing loss, finding that the evidence does not warrant a compensable rating under VA's disability evaluation criteria.