Hearing loss decisions — 2001

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but denied the claim on the merits due to lack of evidence showing a link between current hearing loss and military service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to provide for his own daily self-care or protect himself from the hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss and cervical spine arthritis are service-connected, with a rating of 10 percent for the right fifth metatarsal fracture. The scars of the scalp and face do not meet criteria for compensation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for right ear otitis media and an increased rating for service-connected right ear hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for additional ratings under the applicable schedular criteria.

The veteran's overpayment of compensation benefits was not solely due to VA administrative error, and therefore the claim for a waiver is denied.

The Board denied a higher disability evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the veteran's current disability level does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than August 15, 1996 for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran incurred bilateral hearing loss during active service and granted his claim for service connection. The issue of an ear condition is addressed separately.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a disability under VA regulations, and therefore service connection is denied.

The Board finds that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, with no presumption or secondary connection involved.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied by the RO. The RO proposed to reduce the disability rating from 10% to zero percent, but later restored it to 10%. The veteran appealed this decision seeking a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for a ganglion cyst of the left wrist, right ear hearing loss, and a left knee disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and otitis media, finding that the evidence did not warrant a compensable rating under either the old or new criteria.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial compensable ratings were denied. The RO found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, or shin splints.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as 10% from June 8, 1999 to June 10, 1999 and as 20% since June 10, 1999. The evaluation is based on the criteria for evaluating hearing impairment.

The Board found that the veteran's hearing loss preexisted service and was not aggravated by service. The claim for service connection for hearing loss is denied.

The veteran's dental condition, bilateral hearing loss, and arthritis of multiple joints were denied service connection as they are not related to his active service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for compensable ratings for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and hemorrhoids. The case is being remanded to obtain additional evidence and conduct further examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back pain and hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or in-service injury that would support these claims.