Hearing loss decisions — 2000

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, and for bilateral hearing loss are not well-grounded. The evidence does not support these claims.

The Board found no evidence of aggravation or worsening of the veteran's pre-existing hearing loss during service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, increased ratings for plantar fasciitis of both feet, and a compensable rating for cataracts were denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities that would warrant the requested evaluations.

The Board found that the appellant's claims for service connection for hearing loss and dental disability were not well grounded. The claim for increased rating of generalized anxiety disorder was denied as there is no evidence showing a nexus between current symptoms and service-connected conditions. The claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities was also denied.

The VA denied a compensable evaluation for the veteran's service-connected left ear hearing loss.

The veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hearing loss, and a skin condition were not well grounded. The claim for PTSD was granted due to new evidence, but the other conditions were denied as implausible.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss and right varicocele are not well grounded. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to active military service.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss, finding that the current hearing loss is not related to in-service acoustic trauma and more likely due to post-service noise exposure.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is not well grounded. The veteran's service-connected otitis externa did not cause his current bilateral hearing loss, and thus, he cannot establish a secondary service connection. His claims for an increased evaluation and earlier effective date were also denied as there was no evidence of worsening due to the service-connected condition.

The Board finds that the veteran's claim of service connection for fibromyalgia is well-grounded. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and an eye disability are not well-grounded.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral foot disorders, finding new evidence that supports these claims. However, no new material evidence was found to reopen the claim for bilateral foot disorders.,The veteran contends he has current disability from hearing loss due to noise exposure during service, which is supported by medical evidence. His current foot disabilities are attributed to poorly fitting boots worn during service.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his left shoulder, left knee, and low back disabilities were not well grounded. The claim for an original compensable evaluation for a right ear hearing loss disability was remanded.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection for sinusitis, a skin disorder, chronic gastritis, puncture wound residuals of the right thumb, and hearing loss are not well-grounded. The evidence does not establish a nexus between any current disabilities and active service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for deformity of the duodenal cap, tinnitus, perforated left tympanic membrane, and bilateral hearing loss. The preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Board found that the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a stomach disorder to include ulcers and left ear hearing loss are not well-grounded. The RO should issue a statement of the case regarding the claim for an increased initial evaluation for service-connected PTSD.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently evaluated as 20 percent disabling. The Board finds that the criteria for an increased evaluation are not met.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss disability is not well grounded because there is no competent evidence linking his current hearing loss to his active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are well-grounded and have granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, low back condition (spondylolisthesis), but denied service connection for arthritis of the hands and fingers. The claim for tinnitus is inextricably intertwined with the hearing loss issue.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss as there was no competent medical evidence linking his current disability to his military service.