Hearing loss decisions — 2000

The Board found that there is no competent evidence of record to establish the presence of residuals of heat exhaustion, hypertension, migraine headaches, an adjustment disorder or hearing loss related to service.

The veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected conditions, and the claim for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is denied due to lack of legal merit.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected due to noise exposure during active service. The claim for an increased disability rating for PTSD remains pending.

The Board found no evidence of a relationship between the veteran's current hearing loss and his service, thus denying the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus were not well-grounded, as there was no evidence of current disabilities. For PTSD, the evaluation from September 3, 1993, is denied due to lack of industrial impairment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is a result of acoustic trauma during service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found no evidence of current hearing loss and denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss. The case was also remanded to obtain additional service medical records, evaluate aortic stenosis with a stress test, and consider other issues.

The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but denied reopening of his claim for service connection for ruptured eardrums. The decision on the hearing loss claim is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not submit new and material evidence to reopen his claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, as he still does not have current disabilities. The RO's previous denial remains final.

The Board denied an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the current 10% evaluation was appropriate based on the veteran's audiometric test results.

The Board found that the veteran's left ear conditions, including otitis media and hearing loss, existed prior to entry into service and that the worsening of these conditions was clearly due to the natural progression of her preservice left ear otitis media. Therefore, service connection is denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA audiology examination. The claim will be readjudicated under both the old and new criteria for rating hearing loss.

The Board found no medical evidence linking the veteran's current hearing loss or back disorder to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection were not well grounded, and thus denied them. The claim of service connection for PTSD was denied due to lack of current diagnosis and no evidence linking it to service. The claim for a skin disorder was also denied as there is no new and material evidence submitted since the 1949 decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and heart disease, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted in both cases.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for hiatal hernia and status post cholecystectomy (claimed as stomach trouble) and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his period of active service.

The Board has granted service connection for sensorineural hearing loss, finding that the evidence is in equipoise and raises a reasonable doubt. The claim for residuals of burst (ruptured) ear drums was denied as not well grounded.

The veteran's claims for service connection for migraines, bilateral hearing loss, a left knee disorder and neurapraxia of the feet were denied as there is no competent medical evidence to support these claims.