Hearing loss decisions — 2000

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, swelling of the cheeks, and chronic upper respiratory infection due to a lack of medical evidence supporting these conditions.

The veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for a 10% rating for service-connected tinnitus. The Board found that the September 1975 decision did not become final as it pertained to tinnitus, and the proper effective date was March 10, 1976.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's left ear hearing loss, finding that it was aggravated by his military service. The right knee disorder claim is denied as there is no current diagnosis.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a well-grounded claim for most of his conditions, except for those related to in-service injuries and current manifestations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are not well-grounded as there is no medical evidence linking any of his current disabilities to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's preservice bilateral hearing loss was aggravated by service, warranting service connection for this condition. However, there is no evidence to support a finding of aggravation in his speech impediment due to service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and any pertinent treatment records. The claims of entitlement to an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus will be reconsidered.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss and low back disorder are not well grounded. There is no competent medical evidence showing a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for asthma, cuts, bruises and a hematoma, and bilateral hearing loss are not well-grounded because there is no evidence of current disabilities linked to service.

The Board has determined that there was clear and unmistakable error in the May 1987 rating decision, which denied service connection for a back disability. As a result, the claim is granted effective from March 28, 1987.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and found it to be well-grounded. The RO is now required to schedule an examination by a VA otologist to determine if the current hearing loss is related to military service.

The Board has determined that the evidence submitted since the last final denial does not meet the criteria for reopening the claim, and thus the claim remains denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is not well grounded, and thus denied.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his hearing loss of the right ear was granted, but with a zero percent rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss disability is service-connected as it was incurred during active duty due to noise exposure in Vietnam.

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss, effective from December 2, 1998. The veteran is eligible to receive attorney fees of up to 20% of past-due benefits awarded due to this decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, and Meniere's disease are service-connected based on direct evidence of their onset during active duty.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied as they are not well-grounded based on the lack of evidence showing a nexus to service.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of September 16, 1991 for the award of disability compensation benefits for his mood disorder has been granted. The RO also assigned a 10 percent rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found that the veteran's chronic rhinitis/sinusitis with nonprostrating headaches does not warrant a higher evaluation, and her bilateral hearing loss and left wrist strain do not meet compensable criteria.