Hearing loss decisions — 2001

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, spondylolysis of the lumbar spine, and sinusitis. The RO had previously granted service connection for these conditions but assigned noncompensable evaluations.

The Board found that the veteran's right ear hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for a compensable evaluation for service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The veteran's claim of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for sinusitis with allergic rhinitis is denied as there is no evidence that his condition meets or approximates the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 6513. His claim of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease, right foot (fracture repair, second metatarsal) with plantar fasciitis is denied as there is no evidence that his condition meets or approximates the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 5284 and 5003.

The Board granted a 100% disability rating for PTSD effective February 15, 2000, and denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date. The hearing loss claim was not addressed as it is no longer relevant due to the grant of a higher rating for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the RO's May 2000 decision denying reopening of claims for service connection for ulcers and an upper back condition is final. The evidence submitted since the May 1997 rating decision does not present new and material evidence to reopen these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is due to noise exposure during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to increased evaluations for his left earlobe cyst and a compensable initial evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not warrant such ratings.

The veteran has an employment handicap and meets the criteria for basic entitlement to vocational rehabilitation benefits under Chapter 31, Title 38, United States Code.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and a compensable rating for his back injury, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and scar from the excision of a wart on his right hand. The decision is final as it does not address any issues related to service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's motion to revise his 1946 decision, stating that there was no clear and unmistakable error in the original decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension secondary to PTSD, a skin condition due to exposure to herbicides (Agent Orange), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The decision also noted that the veteran had not perfected an appeal of his claim for diabetes.

The appellant's disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and hypertension, are sufficient to warrant a permanent and total disability rating for nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation, and service connection for tinnitus is granted based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bursitis of the right hip, as there is no current disability found in the most recent audiological evaluation. The claim for service connection for these conditions must be denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information regarding the veteran's Reserve duty and combat experience. The RO is instructed to verify these details, obtain relevant medical records, and schedule a VA audiological examination.

The VA has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating under the current criteria.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support an increase in disability rating.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for traumatic cataract of the right eye and bilateral hearing loss, as well as his request for additional special monthly compensation based on visual impairment, have been denied. The current evaluations are deemed appropriate under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a right knee disorder related to his period of service and denied his claim for service connection.