Hearing loss decisions — 2000

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinea versicolor, to include as due to Agent Orange exposure, are not well grounded. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for an ear disorder. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, left ankle disorder, left shoulder disorder, and a psychiatric disorder (claimed as schizophrenia) are not well grounded.

The appellant has withdrawn their appeal, and the case is dismissed without prejudice.

The Board has restored a 10 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, effective from November 14, 1990.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence for asthma, denial of a fractured right jaw claim as not well-grounded, and denial of PTSD as not incurred during military service.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic headaches and hearing loss disability, both claimed as residuals of a brain concussion and/or closed head injury.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not more than noncompensable prior to August 11, 2000. After this date, it is also noncompensable.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of whether new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The decision is final, and he cannot be granted service connection based on this issue.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of a bilateral eye injury, finding that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating. The combined compensation rating remains at 20 percent.

The Board has granted the appellant's request to reopen his claims for service connection for residuals of left shoulder dislocation, hearing loss and tinnitus. The appeal regarding PTSD is pending.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left shoulder impingement syndrome, and low back disability are denied as the evidence does not establish a current disability or a nexus to service.

The veteran's service-connected tinnitus and left ear hearing loss were evaluated, with the tinnitus receiving a 10% rating effective March 19, 1996. As of June 10, 1999, the RO assigned a separate 10% evaluation for the tinnitus.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus. The veteran's preservice hearing loss was noted at enlistment, but it is unclear whether or not this worsened during service. Tinnitus was first noted after separation from service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic acquired left knee disorder, ulcers, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The decision found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active service, nor could they be presumed to have been incurred in service. Additionally, the Board determined that the veteran's left knee disorder was not proximately due to or worsened by his right knee disorder.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and compensation for lost teeth is 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 increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The current evaluations are found to be appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions, finding that the evidence did not support higher evaluations or a grant of service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a lung disorder, and a bunion on his right foot. The skin condition and vocal nodules were found to be secondary to Agent Orange exposure. The claim for increased evaluation of hemorrhoids was also denied.

The VA has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a rating in excess of 40 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss of the right ear, tinnitus, and presbyopia were not well-grounded. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.