Hearing loss decisions — 2000

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to the veteran's in-service acoustic trauma.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, right ear hearing loss, rupture of an ear drum, and laceration of the right eye are not well grounded. The RO is instructed to attempt verification of the veteran's claimed in-service stressors.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss. The claim is now well grounded, meaning there is sufficient evidence to warrant further consideration.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for hearing loss and back disability (spinal condition) as there was no medical evidence showing a current disability or a link between any in-service event and his claimed conditions.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss and granted it, finding that the evidence is sufficient to establish a link between the veteran's current hearing loss and his military service.

The Board granted a 50 percent evaluation for PTSD effective to May 11, 2000. The RO also increased the disability rating for PTSD from 30 percent to 50 percent effective May 11, 1995.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted, and he is currently rated at 20 percent for both ears. The effective date for service connection of right ear hearing loss is January 9, 1997.

The Board found no evidence of current bilateral hearing loss and thus denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is granted, and he is assigned a 10 percent evaluation for his patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee with history of right patellar fracture. The left knee condition is also granted, but only at a noncompensable rating.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral ear damage are not well-grounded, as there is no competent medical evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that they were not well-grounded. The dental trauma claim was also denied but is pending as it pertains to treatment purposes only.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his active service, including exposure to combat noise in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for schizophrenia, blepharitis and chemical injuries to the eyes, post-traumatic headaches and memory loss, cervicothoracic strain with chronic neck pain, and hearing loss are not well grounded.

The case is being remanded to the Regional Office due to requests for a Travel Board hearing and other procedural issues.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus is not well-grounded because there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, but denied his claim for bronchitis due to herbicide exposure as not well-grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for nicotine dependence and respiratory disability due to tobacco use, hearing loss, tinnitus, neurological disability, circulatory disability, and lung disability. The claims were found not well grounded.

The VA has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under the applicable rating schedule.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's disability evaluation guidelines.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for left ear hearing loss and service connection for Meniere's disease. The decision found that her current hearing loss did not warrant a compensable rating, and her claim for Meniere's disease was not well-grounded.