Hearing loss decisions — 2001

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and the RO found that this rating was appropriate based on the current audiometric findings.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the veteran failing to file a timely Substantive Appeal regarding the August 1994 rating determination, and thus did not address the issues of effective dates for service connection.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss and psychiatric disorder are found to be service-connected due to in-service noise exposure and stress, respectively.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus due to new and material evidence. The veteran's exposure to acoustic trauma during service is established, linking his current hearing loss and tinnitus to his military service.

The Board has determined that service connection is granted for a lumbar spine disability, status post right knee meniscus tear, and residuals of a bone chip in the right hip. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss, skin disorder (poison ivy dermatitis), dental trauma, respiratory disorders, and other conditions.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including skin rashes, allergic rhinitis, heat/cold intolerance, photophobia, and high blood pressure. The veteran's claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for herniated nucleus pulposus L5-S1 with chronic strain has been vacated due to legal error. The Board found that the disability is manifested by pain and mild paralumbar muscle spasm, but no neurologic impairment. Separate ratings are assigned for intervertebral disc symptomatology and limitation of motion.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and finds that the veteran incurred this condition during his military service. The issue of whether the reduction in rating from 40 percent to zero percent was proper is also addressed, with the decision pending further review.

The Board found that the November 1995 rating decision denying service connection for various conditions was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous, and denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his cervical spine disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss. The decision also addressed a claim for increased ratings for knee conditions but did not reach the merits of these issues.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, currently rated at 10 percent. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA regulations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen his claim for right ear hearing loss, and that tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran sustained noise exposure during service, which is considered to be an injury warranting service connection. The evidence supports a finding of left ear hearing loss and tinnitus being related to in-service noise exposure. Therefore, the claims for service connection for these conditions are granted.

The veteran's service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is granted. The VA has determined that his PTSD warrants a 30 percent rating, which is the maximum allowed under current criteria.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was initially denied in April 1985 due to his failure to report for a VA examination. The RO granted the claim and assigned an effective date of March 29, 2000, based on evidence showing he had hearing loss during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including back injury, facial or eye injury, cellulitis, ankle disability, exposure to Agent Orange, PTSD, jungle rot, and hearing loss. The denial was based on a lack of competent evidence supporting these claims.

The Board found no evidence of current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes and concluded that there was no worsening of left ear hearing loss during service, thus denying the veteran's claim.

The Board denied a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the current noncompensable rating accurately reflects the veteran's hearing impairment as per VA regulations.

The veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The RO denied the claim on the basis that there was no medical evidence of a nexus between the condition and his active military service. The Board has determined that further development, including obtaining additional treatment records and conducting an examination to determine if current hearing loss is related to his military service, is necessary.