Hearing loss decisions — 2001

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not begin during or as a result of his military service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated during his service, as the medical evidence does not support a connection to service exposure.

The Board has granted the petition to reopen a claim for service connection for residuals of a back injury and remanded this issue to the RO. The appeal is still pending regarding claims for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and asbestosis with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss due to a lack of medical evidence showing a current disability, and there is no evidence linking any current hearing loss to service. The RO was directed to obtain an audiological examination to determine if the veteran had a hearing loss disability and whether it was related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's appeal of the denial of an earlier effective date for his TDIU was timely filed, and the criteria for granting a TDIU with an effective date of November 2, 1988, have been met.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, and thus grants service connection for tinnitus.

The veteran was granted service connection for residuals of a fungal infection to the nails of her hands and feet, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. She was also granted service connection for sinusitis/rhinitis, but her claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for headaches remains pending.,The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and sinusitis/rhinitis are both denied.

The VA determined that the veteran does not currently have a right ear hearing loss disability, as defined by VA regulations. Therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for his total rating based on individual unemployability, but the RO has denied this request. The case will be remanded to obtain additional evidence and ensure full compliance with VA's duty to assist.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of residuals of a left ankle sprain or decompression sickness including vertigo and hearing loss, and the veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids are currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The appeal for these issues is denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly address the veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for service connection for balance and dizziness problems secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, restoration of a 30 percent evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss, and an increased evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and found that new evidence supports a current diagnosis of mild high-frequency hearing loss. However, there is no competent evidence linking this hearing impairment to active military service. The claims for testicular atrophy and hemarthrosis have been denied as well.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and the residuals of a cervical spine injury. The evidence relates these conditions to service, but does not provide clear evidence of their onset or etiology.

The veteran's request for increased evaluations for bilateral hearing loss, suppurative otitis media, and postoperative residuals of tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy was denied by the VA Oakland Regional Office.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left ear otitis media with hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating.

The veteran's schizophrenia is rated at 50% disabling, his bilateral hearing loss at 10% disabling, and his left knee disability at 20% disabling. The appeals for increased evaluations are granted.

The veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability. The issue of a compensable rating for the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and assigned a noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The veteran's current tinnitus is linked to acoustic trauma during service, which resulted in his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.