Hearing loss decisions — 2001

The veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for bilateral hearing loss, otitis media, residuals of a gunshot wound to the left leg (Group XI), and scar from a right hand gunshot wound were denied. The RO found that the veteran did not meet the schedular criteria for any compensable evaluations under the applicable VA rating schedules.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence, and granted service connection for arthritis of the neck, low back, hands, and feet. Service connection was also granted for bilateral hearing loss, residuals of rheumatic fever, hiatal hernia with reflux, and post-concussive migraine disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss in his right ear, bilateral upper leg ligament injuries with secondary weakness, and tinnitus due to lack of evidence showing current disabilities or aggravation during service.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA). The current noncompensable rating assigned to his condition is appropriate based on the VA audiological examinations conducted in December 2000 and May 2001.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his post-service occupational noise exposure, and service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under VA rating criteria.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no new evidence to reopen the claim of residuals of a brain concussion, as there was no showing of current residuals or head injury during service.

The Board found that severance of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was warranted due to clear and unmistakable evidence showing the condition pre-existed service. The decision denied restoration of service connection.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were granted effective from August 21, 1975. The original claim for service connection was received within one year of separation from active duty.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service exposure to loud noises, such as artillery fire.

The Board has granted the appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that it was incurred during his period of active duty.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for right knee disability, bilateral vision disability, and left hand deformity with a missing fifth finger. The appeals regarding entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and coronary artery disease with hypertension were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The VA has determined that the veteran's hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating, as his average puretone decibel loss is 40 in both ears and he has speech recognition scores of 96 percent.

The Board determined that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, resulting in a denial.

The Board found that the veteran's failure to notify VA of her reentry into active duty contributed to the creation of the overpayment. Recovery was denied as it would not be against equity and good conscience.

The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the veteran's claims for hearing loss, nervous disorder, and eye disorder. As such, service connection was denied for all three conditions.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection are not well grounded and requires additional development to determine if there is evidence of a current disability related to military service.

The Board found no evidence of a relationship between the veteran's current disabilities and his active service, including hearing loss, back disorder, skin rash, migraine headaches, haziness and forgetfulness with blurred vision, fatigue, and nerve condition. The claims were denied.