Hearing loss decisions — 2000

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the veteran's service and obtain medical records, as well as SSA records. The case is being remanded for these purposes.

The Board found that the veteran does not currently have a right ear hearing loss disability for which service connection is available.

The Board has granted a 20% rating for the veteran's service-connected residuals of a compression fracture of the lumbar spine (L1 vertebra), effective from October 1992, and denied an increased rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for arthritis, hearing loss, Meniere's disease, sinusitis, duodenal ulcer, and meningioma are not well-grounded. The evidence does not support a finding of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy and an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss. The veteran was not found to have a currently diagnosed disability manifested by peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure, and his claim for hearing loss was denied as well.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a concussion, bilateral hearing loss, and low back disorder. The claim for PTSD was not addressed in this decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and visual loss, finding that there was no competent medical evidence showing current disability.

The Board denied an increased rating for left ear hearing loss, finding that the veteran's service-connected hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The veteran's claim for vocational rehabilitation training is denied because he does not have a service-connected disability rated at least 10 percent disabling.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss, Raynaud's phenomenon of the hands, and a right knee disability. The evidence did not meet the criteria for establishing these conditions as well-grounded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, sinusitis, irritable bowel syndrome (manifest by lactose intolerance), and pes planus with plantar fasciitis are not well grounded. The evidence does not support a current disability in any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and an increased evaluation for right ear hearing loss are not well-grounded. The evidence does not support a finding of current disability related to service, nor is there sufficient medical evidence linking any current hearing impairment to service.

The Board granted an increased evaluation of 10 percent for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and service connection for inflammation of the right ear and vertigo. The veteran's claims for a sprained left middle finger, a right ankle injury, and a left ankle injury were not well-grounded.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence is not new and material, thus denying the reopening of the claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is not well grounded, and thus denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence does not support a compensable evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disorder and left ear disorders, including hearing loss, tinnitus, and otitis media. The rating for PTSD was increased to 70 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that a compensable evaluation for the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not warranted based on the current evidence of record.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted. Service connection has been established for neck disability, back disability, bilateral knee and leg disabilities, pes planus, and hearing loss. Increased ratings have been assigned for hypertension and skin disorders.

The Board denied claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and residuals of a head injury. The claim for psychiatric disability was also denied as not well-grounded.