Hearing loss decisions — 2001

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a higher disability rating, as it currently manifests at level II in the right ear and level IV in the left ear.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss does not warrant a higher initial disability rating, as it is currently rated as noncompensable.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that the current level of disability does not warrant any higher rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a ruptured left tympanic membrane. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active duty.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected otitis media with hearing loss of the right ear, finding that the evidence does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board has granted an effective date of December 24, 1986 for the award of service connection for migraine headaches.

The VA has denied the appellant's requests for increased evaluations for his right ear hearing loss and anxiety reaction, but granted a higher rating for his service-connected right ankle disability. The total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) request was also denied.,The current ratings for the appellant's service-connected conditions are appropriate given the severity of his disabilities and their impact on his employment.

The Board found that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, and denied his claims for increased ratings of PTSD. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 9411.

The Board has determined that the veteran's paralysis of the left vocal cord was incurred in active service, while his bilateral hearing loss is not shown to have been present during or within one year after service and cannot be linked to a condition noted during service.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the initial evaluations assigned for hiatal hernia (10%) and left knee disability (10%) were granted. The initial noncompensable evaluations for bilateral hearing loss and left inguinal hernia were also granted. Other claims for service connection or higher evaluations were denied.

The veteran's claimed conditions were not shown to be related to service, including his Persian Gulf War service. The RO denied the veteran's claims for service connection.

The veteran's service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder is rated at 70 percent effective August 9, 2000. His diabetes mellitus and vagotomy with pyloroplasty are both rated as 40 percent disabling. Bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. Service connection for glaucoma was denied.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant withdrew it before a decision was made.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a right wrist scar was reopened, and he is now entitled to a 30 percent evaluation for his PTSD. The claims for bilateral hearing loss disability, bilateral ankle disability, skin rash, and prostate disability were denied.

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

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, and his residuals of a fractured left ankle are also rated at 10 percent. The RO has granted the veteran increased ratings for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for increased evaluations for otitis media with tinnitus and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss requires additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, hypertensive vascular disease, and residuals of a fracture of the right clavicle. The TDIU claim was also denied.

The Board denied an initial (compensable) disability rating for hearing loss in the left ear, finding that the veteran's hearing acuity did not meet criteria for a compensable rating under VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The veteran's claims for shin splints, hearing loss, and pes planus were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service injury that resulted in the conditions.