Hearing loss decisions — 2000

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for acne vulgaris, service connection for anal fistula, and reopening of a claim for bilateral hearing loss. The evidence did not show that the veteran had current disabilities or that they were related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disorder and granted it. The cervical spine condition claim is not well-grounded.

The veteran's PTSD and left hearing loss are not rated higher than the current evaluations.

The veteran's claims for increased rating and total disability based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities are being remanded for additional development of the record.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hyperpituitarism, a skin disorder claimed as secondary to Agent Orange exposure, and increased evaluations for vivax malaria, residuals of a gunshot wound of the right buttock with healed scar, and bilateral hearing loss disability. The reasons were that there was no competent evidence linking these conditions to his period of active service or to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for asbestosis due to its well-grounded nature. The other issues remain unresolved and need further development.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has dismissed the matter as it does not have original jurisdiction to decide eligibility for attorney fees withheld from past-due benefits.

The Board has determined that the veteran is entitled to service connection for PTSD, bilateral tinnitus, and right ear hearing loss. The evidence supports these claims as they are considered direct service connections based on in-service exposure and current symptoms.

The veteran's appeals for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of a repaired left inguinal hernia were both denied by the RO.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations, higher initial evaluations, and a total rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The partial loss of the skull was evaluated as 50 percent disabling since separation from active service, while the amputation of the right ring finger at the proximal interphalangeal joint remained at 10 percent. Chronic sinusitis and bilateral hearing loss were each rated at 10 percent. PTSD warranted a 30 percent evaluation. The veteran's unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was not established.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a skin rash, to include as due to herbicide exposure, are not well-grounded. The claim for an increased rating for conjunctivitis is remanded.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for hearing loss and found that new evidence supports this claim. The Board also determined that a compensable rating is not warranted for his perforation of the left eardrum.

The veteran's claims for higher evaluations were denied. The RO granted a 10 percent evaluation for tinnitus of the right ear effective June 10, 1999.

The veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, the highest available under VA rating criteria. His bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a rating in excess of zero percent for residuals of fracture of the left fifth metatarsal, finding that his claims were not well-grounded.

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

The veteran's left ear hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and his right bundle branch block is also rated as noncompensable. The veteran's arthritis of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 10 percent.,The Board finds that none of these conditions warrant a higher rating based on the current evidence.

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

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation, as his hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable VA regulations.

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