Hearing loss decisions — 2000

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's current left ear hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a disability as defined by VA regulations, and thus could not establish service connection. The claim was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating based on the current level of disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for neck and right shoulder disabilities, as well as his hypertension disability. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was granted. No specific rating or effective date was assigned.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his claim lacks sufficient evidence to support a plausible case.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence showing a current right ear hearing loss disability that is attributable to the veteran's military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a dental injury due to trauma, finding that there was no competent medical evidence demonstrating current disabilities or a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted increased evaluations for the veteran's hiatal hernia and scars, but denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his hearing loss. The hiatal hernia is currently rated as 10 percent disabling due to symptoms including pyrosis (heartburn) and substernal chest pain. The scars are rated at 10 percent due to tenderness on palpation. The veteran's hearing loss, however, does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus are not well-grounded, as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss in his left ear is secondary to his service-connected perforation of the tympanic membrane. The claim for residuals of left ear infections was not well-grounded as there is no current evidence of such infections.

The veteran's right ear hearing loss is found to be service-connected, and his leg length discrepancy and left hip disorder are not supported by evidence of a nexus to service.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for a total disability rating for compensation purposes on the basis of individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected PTSD, bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The highest level of education attained by the veteran was two years of college with an associate's degree in applied science machine tool technology.

The Board denied the reopening of a claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for increased evaluations of peptic ulcer disease, right ear hearing loss with labyrinthitis, and lumbosacral strain with arthritis are not well-grounded as his conditions do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedules.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is service-connected, as it is likely due to noise exposure during his military service.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic condition incurred or aggravated during service and concluded that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's heart disorder is not currently manifested and denied his claim for service connection. The veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was assigned a noncompensable rating, as it did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under either the old or new VA Rating Schedule. For mechanical low back pain, the Board found that the current evidence does not support an increased rating beyond 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the claim of entitlement to service connection for dizziness and vertigo as secondary to otitis media is not well grounded. The veteran's hearing loss, while noted, does not meet the criteria for an initial compensable evaluation. For the period from May 12, 1992 to June 9, 1999, the veteran did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral otitis media and tinnitus. Since June 10, 1999, the veteran's claims for increased evaluations were denied.

The veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The RO assigned a 10 percent evaluation, effective from November 12, 1999.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new evidence did not constitute material to reopen the claim for hearing loss and that the claim for tinnitus was not well-grounded.