Hearing loss decisions — 2000

The Board denied a compensable evaluation for the veteran's bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current hearing acuity does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the appellant's bilateral hearing loss was incurred during his active duty service and is granting service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a skin condition claimed as a residual of exposure to Agent Orange, and chronic lumbosacral strain. The claim for PTSD was granted with an evaluation in excess of 30 percent.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the evidence does not meet the schedular criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The veteran's appeal for increased ratings was granted, with a 10 percent rating assigned for benign prostatic hypertrophy and a compensable rating of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss effective June 10, 1999. The appeal for hemorrhoids remains pending.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss with tinnitus and a right shoulder disability, finding new and material evidence. However, the claim remains well grounded as there is no direct evidence linking these conditions to service.,For the right shoulder disability, the Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted, but the claim remains well grounded because the medical evidence does not establish a clear link between the current condition and active service.

The veteran's hemorrhoids are found to have been incurred in service. The claims for service connection for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, left ear hearing loss, and right ear hearing loss are all granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating under VA regulations.

The Board found that the veteran's hearing impairment in his right ear did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations, thus denying his claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, right knee disorder (arthritis), and an increased rating for hemorrhoids. The decision is final as these claims were previously denied in May 1995.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA psychiatric examination. The veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and an increased disability rating for PTSD are being reviewed.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that there was no competent medical evidence showing a nexus between his current condition and service.

The veteran's claim for an effective date prior to April 20, 1998, for assignment of a 40 percent evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection were not well grounded, except for his claim of entitlement to service connection for reflex sympathetic dystrophy as a manifestation of an undiagnosed illness. The other conditions are considered manifestations of undiagnosed illnesses.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, finding that his current disability is not related to any disease or injury incurred during his active military service.

The Board has found that the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his hearing loss and knee disabilities are not well-grounded, as there is no evidence of increased severity since service. The RO was directed to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations.

The Board found that the veteran did not file a timely substantive appeal on the issue of new and material evidence to reopen claims for service connection for right facial paralysis, hearing loss, otitis media, and residuals of pneumonia. The RO's May 1974 denial of these claims is final.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including PTSD and depression, are not well-grounded. The evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD or depression related to service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are denied as they are not well grounded.

The Board found no medical evidence linking the veteran's current hearing loss, tinnitus, or sinus disorder to service and denied the claims for service connection.