Hearing loss decisions — 2001

The Board found that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not related to his service, and denied both claims.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss as there is no current disability meeting VA criteria.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was granted, with the effective date being June 10, 1999. The case of service connection for partial loss of taste and loss of smell is still pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not have its onset during active service and is not related to any disease or injury in service. As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD, peripheral neuropathy, and skin disability are service-connected due to exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam. Bilateral hearing loss is not addressed as it will be remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to changes in the law brought about by the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss.,The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for left ear hearing loss and granted a 10% evaluation for minimal obstructive lung defect.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeal for compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to his death while the appeal was pending, and the underlying decision by the RO is considered vacated.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and acrocyanosis of the hands and feet. The veteran's initial evaluations have been assigned as follows: 10 percent for tinnitus, noncompensable for bilateral hearing loss, and 10 percent for acrocyanosis of the hands and feet.

The Board found that the cause of the veteran's death was not related to any service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of hearing loss disability of the right ear and remanded it to the RO for further development. The veteran is requested to attend a personal hearing before a Member of the Board at the RO.

The veteran's increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and otitis media with perforation and scars of the eardrums have been granted. The evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is now at 60 percent effective June 10, 2001.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The veteran's original claim was denied in May 1994, and no new or material evidence has been provided since then.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a right knee disorder, hearing loss, or tinnitus that is related to his military service.,There are no references to these conditions in the service medical records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and residuals of septorhinoplasty are not service-connected under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased evaluations for sinusitis, deviated nasal septum, hypertension, eczema, right middle finger fracture, and hearing loss. The evidence did not meet the criteria for an increase in disability ratings.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for otosclerosis with bilateral hearing loss, finding that the current evaluation adequately reflects the severity of the disability.

The Board denied an increased rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of service connection for a right shoulder disability, including as secondary to a service-connected low back disability.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating of his bilateral hearing loss was granted, and the effective date for service connection of tinnitus was changed from December 21, 1999 to April 2, 1998.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss of the right ear.