Hearing loss decisions — 2000

The Board has found that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The case is now remanded for further development, including obtaining service medical records and a VA examination.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the veteran's left ear otitis media, effective from January 26, 1994. The noncompensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss disability remain unchanged.

The VA determined that the veteran does not currently have a hearing loss disability and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied a compensable evaluation for the veteran's bilateral hearing loss, finding that his hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under VA rating criteria.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that there was no evidence linking current hearing loss to service.

The veteran's drug-induced lupus was not symptomatic and did not cause death. The service-connected hearing loss is not considered a contributory cause of death.,There is no evidence linking the veteran's death to his service, including lung cancer, coronary artery disease, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is manifested by level III hearing loss in both ears, which warrants a noncompensable evaluation. The Board finds that the veteran is not entitled to a compensable evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied both claims for service connection due to a lack of competent medical evidence linking the current disabilities to service.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss in service and concluded that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD, an eye disability, and hearing loss of the left ear due to a lack of competent medical evidence showing current disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, sinusitis, hearing loss in the right ear, and loss of teeth due to trauma. The evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has granted the veteran's service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but denied a compensable rating. The RO will need to conduct further examinations and consider additional evidence before making a determination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after service. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that these disabilities were incurred in service.

The Board granted service connection for hearing loss and assigned a 10 percent evaluation for the residuals of shell fragment wound to the right upper extremity. The claim for increased rating was also granted.

The veteran's claim for an increased (compensable) evaluation for hearing loss of the right ear is being remanded to the RO for further review under the revised applicable schedular criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for tension headaches and assigned a 10 percent rating effective from August 3, 2000. The other claims of service connection remain pending.

The veteran's PTSD is granted as incurred in service due to his combat experience. Bilateral hearing loss and shoulder degenerative joint disease are not addressed, as the evidence does not provide a clear link between these conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not incurred during his active service due to noise exposure. As a result, the claims for service connection have been granted.