Hearing loss decisions — 2000

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his conditions are not well-grounded.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied by the Board. The VA found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation based on his audiometric test results.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including those potentially related to Agent Orange exposure, were denied.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not establish a direct relationship to service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, with a rating of 10% for tinnitus. The veteran's hearing loss is currently rated as Level VI in both ears.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for spondylolisthesis of L5 on S1, finding that it was incurred during active duty. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there is no medical evidence showing current disabilities or a link between service and these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as an increased rating for the post-operative residuals of a left tibial fracture. The effective date for the separate 10% rating for the scar on the left lower extremity with recurrent cellulitis is set at September 17, 1992.

The Board found no evidence of a bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus during service and denied the veteran's claims for service connection.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and burn scar of the right hand were denied as there was no evidence to support higher evaluations based on current medical findings.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral foot disability, tinnitus, and hearing loss of the right ear are all service-connected. The decision grants these claims.

The VA denied an increased evaluation for hearing loss in the right ear, finding that the veteran's current level of hearing impairment does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, and lumbosacral strain. The current ratings of 30%, 20%, 50%, and 10% respectively are maintained.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The RO found that the veteran did not present new and material evidence to reopen his hyperopic astigmatism and presbyopia claim, and denied service connection for a skin disorder due to exposure to Agent Orange. His hearing loss claim was also denied as no new and material evidence had been presented.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral ear disorder, to include bilateral hearing loss is well grounded. However, further examination and development are needed before the merits of this claim can be evaluated.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for myopia, hearing loss and tinnitus, and anxiety disorder are not well grounded. The evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of injury to the right arm, hypertension, depression, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and residuals of a back injury as they are not well-grounded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing disability is due to disease or injury incurred in service, while his claim for tinnitus was denied as there is no competent evidence showing a current disability.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied. The RO found no evidence linking the current tinnitus to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability, and thus denied this claim as well. His claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability is also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is well-grounded, and thus grants the claim.