Hearing loss decisions — 2000

The VA determined that the veteran's right ear hearing loss disability does not warrant a compensable evaluation, as it is currently manifested by an average pure tone threshold of 23 decibels and speech discrimination ability of 82 percent in the right ear.

The VA determined that the audiometric evaluations did not show findings which meet the rating criteria for a compensable rating for service-connected hearing loss during the period from October 18, 1993, to March 25, 1996.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a low back disorder are not well grounded. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The VA examiner found that the veteran's hearing loss is not related to his in-service noise exposure and concluded it is more likely due to aging. The Board therefore denied service connection for hearing loss.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no competent medical evidence linking his current hearing loss to his military service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for venous insufficiency of the legs and finds it plausible. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not well grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected cholesteatoma, left ear with tinnitus, status post tympanomastoidectomy; left ear hearing loss; and perforated tympanic membrane, left ear. The reasons were that there was no evidence of suppuration or aural polyps to warrant a compensable rating under Diagnostic Codes 6200-6260, as in effect through June 9, 1999, and the veteran's hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a noncompensable rating under Diagnostic Code 6100. The Board also found that there was no evidence of an exceptional or unusual disability picture warranting assignment of an extraschedular evaluation.

The veteran's right knee condition is rated at 20 percent, and his bilateral hearing loss is noncompensable. The claim for service connection for vertigo remains denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are not well grounded. The evidence does not support a finding of chronic disability in service or continuity since service.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted, with the effective date set at February 9, 1995.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new evidence supports a link to his military service. The claim is granted.

The veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of cold injury and tinnitus are granted, but his claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss remains noncompensable.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and right leg disorder, finding no competent medical evidence of current disabilities. The claim for chloracne due to Agent Orange exposure was granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to noise exposure during his military service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's claim for non-service-connected disability pension benefits was granted effective February 7, 1994. The RO denied his claims for right knee and back disabilities as not service connected.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for right ear hearing loss and IBS were denied as the current evaluations are considered appropriate based on the severity of his conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are well grounded. The VA examiner found that the veteran's current hearing loss is consistent with his history, and it is as least as likely as not due to noise exposure during his service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and a fistula in ano are well grounded. The veteran's complaints of hearing loss and tinnitus have been attributed to his military service, and he is entitled to an evaluation for facial scars.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for a healed perforation of the left eardrum, whether new and material evidence has been presented to reopen a claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and entitlement to service connection for tinnitus.

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