Hearing loss decisions — 2000

The Board found that the veteran's post-operative left tympanoplasty with a history of left external otitis warrants a 10 percent disability rating, and his left ear hearing loss with tinnitus is rated as non-compensably disabling.

The July 17, 1992 rating decision denying service connection for right ear hearing loss is final. The veteran's claim has not been reopened due to the lack of new and material evidence.

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 medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board found no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus to his service, including combat-related noise exposure. Therefore, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for compensation for multiple disabilities claimed as secondary to exposure to mustard gas in service, including upper respiratory disorder, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hearing loss and cataracts. The decision is not subject to revision on grounds of clear and unmistakable error.

The Board has granted service connection for current hearing loss in the left ear, but denied the claim for right ear hearing loss. The veteran's left ear hearing loss is considered to be of service origin.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left ear hearing loss does not warrant an increased rating as it is currently rated at zero percent.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and gastroesophageal reflux disease with peptic esophagitis. The veteran is found to have a current disability related to his in-service exposure to noise trauma, which supports his claim for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. For gastroesophageal reflux disease with peptic esophagitis, the Board finds that while there are medical records indicating a diagnosis of this condition, it was not directly related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are not well grounded, and his increased rating claims have been denied. The right hip disorder is considered secondary to the service-connected bilateral knee disability, but there is no medical evidence linking it directly to service. The hearing loss claim lacks a plausible basis as there is no in-service noise exposure documented and current medical records do not support a link between service and hearing impairment. The scar of the right lower eyelid is currently non-deforming and asymptomatic, thus not warranting an increased rating. The bilateral knee disability has been evaluated based on its current status without additional functional loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss warrants a rating of 30 percent, which is higher than the current 20 percent evaluation. The evidence supports this increased rating.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence is not new and material, thus denying the request to reopen the claim for service connection for otitis media with subsequent hearing loss and tinnitus of the left ear and hearing loss of the right ear.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a stomach disorder and hearing loss, as well as his request for an increased rating for residuals of left navicular fracture. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to active service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of in-service tinnitus or hearing loss, and that his current conditions are not related to service.

The VA has determined that the appellant's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and bilateral myringitis and nonsuppurative otitis media do not warrant an increased evaluation, as their current evaluations are noncompensable.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his hearing loss and tinnitus were not well grounded and that his left foot disability was rated appropriately.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disabilities, but finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service. The decision remains pending.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but finds that it is not well-grounded and therefore denied.

The Board finds that the veteran's bilateral varicose veins, status post ligation and stripping warrant a compensable rating of 10 percent.