Hearing loss decisions — 2000

The Board found the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss not well grounded due to lack of competent medical evidence linking his current hearing loss to military service.

The veteran's left ear hearing loss is rated as noncompensable under the current rating criteria, and thus denied an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating, as his hearing impairment does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of L5- S1, but denied service connection for diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis and other back conditions. Service connection was also denied for nasopharyngitis and sinusitis as well as bilateral ear disability including hearing loss.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a right knee disability and an increased rating for left ear hearing loss, finding that there was no well-grounded evidence to support these claims.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, a granuloma in his right lung, and high blood glucose levels due to lack of evidence of current disabilities.

The veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings are not well grounded, and the criteria for a higher rating than 10 percent have not been met.

The veteran's service-connected right shoulder injury is granted. The claims for varicose veins, hemorrhoids, and right hip bursitis are denied. Service connection for bilateral patellofemoral arthritis is granted. No new evaluation was assigned for gout or umbilical hernia. Ankylosing spondylitis with osteoarthritis and disc disease of the thoracic and lumbar spines remains at 10 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and bilateral hearing loss disability were not well grounded, as there was no evidence of a nexus between any inservice problems and the current disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an eye disorder are not well grounded, as there is no current evidence of these conditions. The claims have been denied.

The Board has determined that the claim for service connection for an eye disorder is not well grounded due to lack of medical evidence linking a current eye disorder with the veteran's period of active service.,There is new and material evidence found supporting the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but the claim remains not well grounded as there is no causal link between the veteran's current hearing loss and his period of service.

The veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied in November 1965, and the decision became final. The claim was reopened in April 1975 but remained denied until a November 1994 rating determination granted service connection with an effective date of August 31, 1992.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, defective vision, and impaired balance are not well-grounded as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and left ear tinnitus, but denied the claims of service connection for residuals of malaria and right eyebrow and left forearm shell fragment wounds.

The Board finds that the veteran's claims of service connection for a perforation of the tympanic membrane of the left ear and hearing loss of the left ear are plausible and capable of substantiation, and thus well-grounded within the meaning of 38 U.S.C.A. § 5107(a).

The Board has determined that the veteran's left ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, and thus denied his claim.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not meet the criteria for a disability under VA standards.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not compensably disabling prior to January 2, 1997 and is no more than 10 percent disabling after January 2, 1997 according to the schedular criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that both conditions are as likely as not attributable to the veteran's prolonged noise exposure during his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for hypercholesterolemia, residuals of a left index finger strain, and bilateral hearing loss are not well grounded. The claim for service connection for hemorrhoids is granted, but an initial compensable evaluation is denied. The claim for increased rating for cervical spine disability remains pending.