Hearing loss decisions — 2000

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a nervous condition and right ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of chronic disability during or within one year after service. The claim for increased rating for left ear hearing loss is pending.

The Board found that the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not well-grounded, as there was no competent medical evidence linking his current disabilities to his active service.

The veteran's claims for hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional VA medical records and an audiologic examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, hearing loss, and PTSD are not well grounded. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or exposure to conditions that could have caused these disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for pyuria and a 10 percent rating under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.324 for multiple noncompensable disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of current disablement or interference with normal employability.

The Board found that the appellant's postoperative vocal cord polyp, hearing loss, and tinnitus are not service-connected as they were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected septectomy for deviated nasal septum.

The Board denied increased ratings for tinea pedis and tinea cruris, as well as a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The appellant's skin conditions are currently rated at the lowest possible levels under VA regulations.

The VA determined that the veteran's left ear hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation under the current rating criteria.

The Board denied an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation than the current 40 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and broken arches (hallux valgus) as they were not well-grounded. The evidence did not show current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board denied the veteran's application to reopen his claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted. The only new evidence was a duplicate copy of his 1969 application for VA compensation, which suggested he had hearing loss due to in-service noise exposure.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss was previously not considered compensable, but as of June 10, 1999, the VA determined that a 20% evaluation is warranted based on revised rating criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss disability, finding that no new and material evidence had been presented.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic prostatitis due to a lack of competent evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during his period of active service.

The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against granting higher ratings or service connection for any of the claimed conditions. The veteran's current disabilities do not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected residuals of a sprained right ankle with traumatic arthritis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is service-connected, as it was caused by noise exposure during his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's dizziness and hearing loss are service-connected, with the opinion of a medical expert supporting this determination.

The Board has remanded the case for further evaluation of the veteran's left ear hearing loss under both old and new rating criteria, with a focus on determining which criteria are more favorable to the veteran.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, finding that his current hearing impairment is related to military noise exposure and civilian employment. The claim for vision loss in the left eye remains denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking it to service-connected head trauma.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed because they died during the pendency of the appeal.