Hearing loss decisions — 2000

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including dermatitis of the arms and groin area, left ear hearing loss, chronic meibomianitis of both eyes, a chronic eye disorder (claimed as herpes), a chronic elbow disorder (claimed as lateral epicondylitis of the left elbow), a bilateral knee disorder, a chronic back disorder (claimed as degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine), and a chronic neck disorder (claimed as degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine).

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any additional right ear disability related to the VA ear surgery in June 1993, including hearing loss and ear infections.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than January 6, 1992, for the grant of service connection and a compensable evaluation for tinnitus.

The Board denied the claims of service connection for hearing loss, hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux, and a foot disorder due to lack of competent medical evidence linking these conditions to active duty or inactive duty training.

The veteran's hearing loss of the left ear is rated as noncompensable, and his right ear is considered normal for rating purposes. The current evaluation does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and verifying combat service. The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is currently denied.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated at 70 percent effective October 22, 1996. The claim for a higher evaluation prior to that date is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss is well-grounded and grants the claim.

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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, finding that his bilateral hearing loss was not well-grounded. The other issues were also denied as there was no evidence of a pre-existing condition or aggravation during service.

The veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for service-connected right ear hearing loss was denied.

The Board found no competent evidence showing a nexus between the veteran's claimed conditions and his active service, leading to denial of all claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to an increased rating for her left knee disability and service connection for right ear hearing loss. The Board found that there was no evidence of aggravation of preexisting right ear hearing loss during service, and that the current level of hearing loss did not meet VA standards.

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

The veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for left ear hearing loss was denied as the disability did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under VA rating standards.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected hearing loss was granted, with a 60 percent disability rating effective from April 9, 1997.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings are denied as there is no evidence of a compensable rating for his hearing loss and service connection for residuals of a stab wound. The claim for service connection for a skin condition remains pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and pes planus, finding that his claims were not well-grounded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is well-grounded and grants this claim. The Board also finds that the veteran's current diagnosis of psychosis, most consistent with schizophrenia, had its inception during his military service. However, the claims for lumbosacral strain, hearing loss, and peptic ulcer disease are not well-grounded as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found no medical evidence linking the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss to his period of active duty service, and denied the claim.