Hearing loss decisions — 2000

The veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including hearing loss, visual acuity issues, memory loss, arthritis of the hip, and other conditions, were generally granted. The initial evaluations assigned to his service-connected disabilities are also discussed.

The VA denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, which is currently rated at 10 percent.

The veteran has been granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, with the conditions found to be directly related to noise exposure during active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for reopening his previously denied claims for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and ear fungus, finding no new and material evidence to support these claims.

The VA determined that the appellant's bilateral hearing loss disability does not warrant a compensable evaluation, as it is currently rated as noncompensably disabling.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is plausible and well-grounded, and thus allowed. The case was remanded to obtain a VA audiological examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current level of hearing acuity does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of tinnitus was denied. The RO found that the veteran is already receiving the maximum schedular evaluation for his condition.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and granted a rating of 20 percent for limitation of motion of the lumbar spine. The veteran's claim was not well-grounded for these conditions.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability and granted an increased rating to 60 percent for lumbosacral strain. The hypertension evaluation remains unchanged at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran is not entitled to a compensable evaluation for his left ear hearing loss and does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for his coronary artery disease with hypertension.

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

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for further examination, including a review of service personnel files and an audiology examination.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection for various conditions, including ulcers, tinea of the hands and feet, anxiety disorder, hypertension, cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and hearing loss, are well-grounded. The right ear hearing impairment was incurred in service.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for Meniere's disease, effective from the date of the decision. The veteran's low back strain is rated at 20 percent.

The veteran's service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted. However, no compensable rating (greater than zero percent) has been assigned.,Prior to September 23, 1999, the veteran's asbestosis did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations. After that date, his FVC value of 79% was sufficient to warrant a 10% rating.,The veteran's service-connected asbestosis has been rated at 10% since September 23, 1999.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability began with noise exposure in active service and has persisted, granting his claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim of service connection for PTSD and found that new evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD linked to in-service stress. The other claims are pending further review.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of a right shoulder injury, a disorder of the nose claimed as residuals of a fracture, an eye disorder, and hearing loss are not well-grounded. The evidence does not support these claims.