Hearing loss decisions — 2001

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and reopened the claim for residuals of head injury to include headaches.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected right ear sensorineural hearing loss and his claim for service connection for residuals of head injury, including damage to nervous system, right eye problems, cognitive disorder, and psychiatric disorder.

The veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted, with the tinnitus receiving a 10% rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including a VA examination to determine the nature and extent of the veteran's hearing loss and whether it is related to service. The claim for PTSD will be reconsidered based on new information provided by the RO.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss and an increased rating for weak left foot. The claim for hearing loss was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence, while the claim for the increased rating for weak left foot remained denied.

The Board found that the veteran's left ear hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated by service, and denied his claim for service connection. The right ear hearing loss issue is remanded due to a lack of VA audiological examination.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss warrants a 20 percent rating, which is the maximum schedular evaluation available.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of in-service acoustic trauma or chronic conditions. The claim for hypertension was also denied as secondary to tinnitus due to lack of service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected hearing loss and PTSD, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability. The current ratings for these conditions are 50 percent for PTSD.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the veteran's claim for left ear hearing loss has been submitted, allowing the claim to proceed.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is as likely as not due to noise exposure during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran incurred dental trauma to tooth number 26 during active service, and he is therefore entitled to outpatient dental services and treatment as well as related appliances for this tooth. The other claims of service connection were not granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for a back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and a skin rash of the left arm. The decision is mixed as it addresses multiple issues.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to noise exposure during service, while left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are not shown by competent medical evidence. Therefore, service connection for right ear hearing loss is granted, but service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus is denied.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for a ruptured eardrum, hearing loss disability, and tinnitus. The claim for PTSD was also denied as there is no evidence of combat or in-service stressors.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not file a timely substantive appeal regarding the May 1997 rating decision denying entitlement to a disability evaluation in excess of zero percent for hearing loss of the left ear. As such, the claim is dismissed.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed as service connection for this condition has already been established. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been presented to reopen a claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is also dismissed due to the existing award.

The veteran's enlarged left ventricle was found to be related to his service-connected hypertension. He is also granted service connection for hearing loss in both ears due to exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, neuroma of the left foot, multiple lipomas, and hepatitis-C. The appeal was also denied regarding a claim to reopen a previously denied skin disorder secondary to parasite exposure and the March 20, 1996 rating decision on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current right shoulder disability and denied his claim for service connection. The issue of an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is pending.