Hearing loss decisions — 2001

The Board finds that the veteran's current right shoulder disorder and bilateral ear disorders (to include hearing loss) were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence does not establish a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for various service-connected conditions, including osteoarthritis of the right knee, bilateral hearing loss disability, PTSD, chronic sinusitis, and appendectomy residuals. The RO found that these conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, hearing loss with tinnitus, cataracts of both eyes, and right knee disability, to include arthritis. The reasons given were that there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year after separation, and that the current conditions are not related to service.

The Board has restored the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding that severance was not proper due to clear and unmistakable error in the November 1998 rating decision.

The Board denied claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for diverticular disease of the colon, finding no legal merit or entitlement under the law.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to changes in the law and missing medical records.

The VA RO reduced the evaluation of the veteran's service-connected bilateral high frequency hearing loss from 10 percent to noncompensable, effective October 1, 1999. The Board found that material improvement in the veteran's condition was demonstrated at the time of the July 1999 rating action.

The Board found that the veteran's tinnitus warranted a 10 percent evaluation, but not an increase. The hearing loss claim is pending and requires additional medical examination to determine its severity.

The RO granted service connection for residuals of neck and low back injuries, but denied service connection for a right knee disability. The RO also granted noncompensable ratings for the veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the claims of service connection for a right knee disorder, compensable evaluation for right ear hearing loss, and pursuant to 38 C.F.R. § 3.324.

The Board found new and material evidence, but did not reopen the claim as it was decided on the merits. The veteran's hearing loss is considered to be directly related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, bilateral chondromalacia patella, residuals of a fracture of the right middle finger, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and compensation for various disabilities, including a bilateral hearing loss disorder, right thigh scar, right leg disability, right ankle disability, back disability, and nervous disorder. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen his claim for a bilateral hearing loss disorder.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The veteran is now entitled to a full merits review on these issues.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted as it is more likely than not related to noise exposure during military service.

The VA denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss with a history of otitis media, currently rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his period of active military service.

The veteran's hearing loss disability is not service-connected, but his neuropsychiatric disorder and low back disorder are. The claim for an increased rating for the fracture of the left ankle remains unresolved.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of a left ankle injury, as well as his claim for an increased rating for PTSD. The effective date for the 100 percent schedular rating for PTSD was set at September 1, 1998.

The Board denied an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss and lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes, finding that the evidence did not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ear hearing loss, decreased visual acuity in the right eye, flat feet, and broken arches were not incurred or aggravated during his active military service. The claim for these conditions is therefore denied.