Hearing loss decisions — 2000

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of his death, finding that his suicide was not due to a service-connected disability and thus denying the claim.

The veteran is unemployable solely as a result of his service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer, PTSD, bowel incontinence, and duodenal ulcer.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, left ankle disability, and bipolar affective disorder. The VA found that the veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability as defined by VA standards.

The veteran's pension overpayment of $3,810.00 is waived due to undue hardship caused by financial constraints and the need for medical care. The veteran does not meet criteria for special monthly pension based on aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral tinnitus and hearing loss, as well as his claim for service connection for otitis media. The evidence did not show current disabilities or a nexus to service.

The veteran's appeal is about an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, which is currently rated at 40 percent. The RO needs to provide a remand due to the need for clarification on the use of old and new criteria for rating hearing impairment, as well as another VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating prior to February 8, 2000 and a rating in excess of 10 percent on and after that date. The RO assigned a 10% rating effective from February 8, 2000.

The veteran's initial evaluations for hearing loss and perforated eardrum with tympanoplasty are granted at a 10 percent rating.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for such an evaluation under the applicable rating schedule.

The Board has denied a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence does not support an evaluation in excess of 20 percent effective March 4, 1993 or a rating higher than 10 percent, effective August 3, 1998.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and left ear pain due to a lack of competent medical evidence demonstrating these conditions were related to service.

The Board found that the submitted evidence was not new and material, thus denying the veteran's request to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations, finding no evidence of current disabilities that meet VA standards for recognition as a disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ear hearing loss was initially diagnosed during his service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and a psychiatric disorder, as the RO has not attempted to obtain all relevant medical records.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied, but he was granted an initial evaluation of 30 percent for post-traumatic headaches. The other claims remain pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions due to service, and thus denied all claims for service connection.

The VA has determined that the appellant's bilateral hearing loss, currently rated at 10 percent, does not warrant an increase in disability rating as it does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable regulations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection for various disabilities, including right hand disability, left ear hearing loss, PTSD, spondylolysis of L5 vertebra, and right shoulder and right ear hearing loss. The decision also found that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen these claims.

The RO granted service connection for right ear hearing loss but denied service connection for left ear hearing loss. The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for right ear hearing loss is pending.