Hearing loss decisions — 2000

The veteran's appeal for increased ratings and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation or for a total disability rating.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's bilateral high frequency hearing loss and found that a rating in excess of 10 percent was not warranted. The case is remanded to address the effective date issue.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for disability of the cervical spine as a result of pursuing vocational rehabilitation, finding that neither issue had legal merit.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his bilateral hearing loss is denied as the evidence does not support a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's current left ear hearing loss disability is not related to his service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking it to his military service, specifically his National Guard duty.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased rating for left ear hearing loss, a compensable rating for tinnitus, and his application to reopen a claim of service connection for a nervous disorder claimed as secondary to service-connected left ear hearing loss.

The VA denied an increased rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding the veteran's current hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss due to insufficient evidence showing a link between his current condition and his military service.

The veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his service-connected right ear hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under either the old or new VA rating criteria.

The veteran's claims for increased PTSD, shell fragment wound to the left arm, and left eye disability were denied. The claim for service connection for residuals of malaria was reopened but denied as not well grounded. Service connection for a skin disability, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral knee disabilities was also denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, peripheral neuropathy of the right foot, and peripheral neuropathy of the left foot as the evidence does not support a higher evaluation under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are well-grounded. However, further development is needed before reaching a decision on the merits of these claims due to the absence of a VA examination or medical opinion regarding the etiology of the veteran's hearing disabilities.

The veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and individual unemployability are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims of service connection for hearing loss and a nervous disorder are not well grounded, as there is no evidence showing current disabilities or a link to service.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss was found to be incurred in service, and he is now entitled to a non-compensable evaluation for his status post right ankle reconstruction with RSD.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, scars of the lungs and heart, and acute/subacute peripheral neuropathy as a result of exposure to Agent Orange. The evidence submitted since the final decisions does not meet the criteria for reopening these claims.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to incomplete records of his periods of active duty for training prior to January 1957 and inactive duty training between 1951 and 1978. The VA ear specialist will provide an opinion on the onset or increased disability during these periods.

The veteran's right ear hearing loss was initially manifested during service and is considered to be incurred therein. The Board granted the claim for service connection.