Hearing loss decisions — 2001

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. Service connection cannot be granted for bilateral hearing loss as the audiometric test results do not meet the criteria for a disability under VA regulations. The veteran's herniated nucleus pulposus L5-S1 with chronic strain, right patellofemoral chondromalacia and synovitis, and gastric ulcer are all currently rated at 20%, 10%, and 10% respectively.

The veteran's claim for service connection for profound bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was granted with an effective date of April 27, 2001.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and determining his specific dates of active duty in the Ohio Air National Guard.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability is on appeal. The RO has proposed to reduce the veteran's disability rating from 20% to 10%, and he has appealed this decision.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection due to new and material evidence, including a VA audiological evaluation in February 1999 that showed current right ear hearing loss. The Board finds sufficient evidence to support the grant of service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and heart disease, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for anxiety reaction was not addressed.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date of April 19, 2001, for a grant of TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The RO found that the claim was received on April 19, 2001.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, as it was found that the current level of disability warranted a non-compensable evaluation.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under the applicable schedular criteria.

The veteran is seeking a compensable disability rating for his service-connected left ear hearing loss. The RO has not yet had the opportunity to comply with the notice and duty to assist provisions contained in the new law, as to either the service connection claim or the increased rating claim.

The veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized non-VA medical expenses incurred on March 21, 2000 was denied as he did not have prior authorization from VA and the services were not rendered in a medical emergency that would have been hazardous to his life or health. Additionally, VA facilities were found to be feasibly available.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is denied as the evidence does not support a rating higher than 40 percent.

The veteran's hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with an average puretone decibel loss of 44 in the right ear and 39 in the left ear. The Board finds that this level of hearing acuity does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his hearing loss did not have its onset during active duty and was not caused by his service-connected otitis media of the left ear.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to his failure to report for scheduled VA audiological examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his post-traumatic headaches and left ankle disability, but found that no new and material evidence had been received to reopen his claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's lumbar spine disability, hypertension, and bilateral high frequency hearing loss.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus in November 1999. The RO granted the reopened claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus with an effective date of March 13, 2000.

Your claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded to the RO for a scheduled Board hearing.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and assigned a compensable rating of 10%.