Hearing loss decisions — 2000

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for headaches and hearing loss as residuals of a head injury, tinnitus, and residuals of a head injury. The decisions were final due to lack of appeal or extension of time.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to March 7, 1996 and a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss since March 7, 1996.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current diagnosis of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is attributable to acoustic trauma sustained during his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen them.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD, finding that the veteran engaged in combat and was exposed to acoustic trauma. The claimant's current symptoms of PTSD are presumed due to his combat experience.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, currently rated at 10 percent. The evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The claims for increased ratings for left and right knee disabilities are also denied.

The VA determined that the veteran's claims for increased evaluation of bilateral hearing loss, service connection for a right knee disorder, and service connection for tinnitus were denied. The decision is based on the current state of the law at the time of the decision.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for service-connected left ear hearing loss was denied as he is already receiving the maximum schedular evaluation.

The RO denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a bilateral knee disability, and a heart disability due to lack of well-grounded claims. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus.

The veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance is denied as his need to use diapers does not meet the legal requirements for such a benefit.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for residuals of a right vestibular nerve resection due to recurrent Meniere's disease is being remanded for further evaluation and consideration.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including those of the right forearm and left mandible/cheek, are currently rated at 20 percent each. The combined rating is 70 percent, meeting the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. However, his current disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a higher evaluation.

The veteran's hearing loss as a result of skull fracture is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board found that this rating was appropriate based on the evidence provided.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that a VA audiologist should be provided to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for additional dependency and indemnity compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1311(a)(2) as her husband had not been rated at a 100% disability level for eight or more years prior to his death.