Hearing loss decisions — 2001

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have hearing loss for VA purposes, and thus service connection cannot be granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability and no competent medical opinion linking the condition to service.

The Board denied an increased rating for the service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that the veteran's hearing impairment did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and left knee disability, but denied the other issues. The veteran's claim of entitlement to a compensable rating for a scalp scar is pending.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and retracted tympanic membrane with serous fluid, status post myringotomy of the left ear were denied. The RO has not yet considered the new rating criteria.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating, as his hearing levels correspond to a noncompensable rating.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied on the basis that it is not well grounded. The appeal is being remanded to gather additional evidence and determine if there is a relationship between the veteran's current hearing loss and his military service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination. The case will be reviewed again after this development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and right ankle disability were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board found that the appellant's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently manifested by average puretone decibel loss of 81 in the right ear with 82 percent speech discrimination, and average puretone decibel loss of 80 in the left ear with 86 percent speech discrimination on VA audiological examination. The Board denied an increased rating for this disability as it is currently evaluated at 40 percent disabling.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for peptic ulcer disease and left-sided hearing loss disability. The claim for right-sided hearing loss was also denied as there is no evidence of a compensable evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of March 23, 2000 for service connection due to head injury residuals, tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss. The decision stated that the reopened claim was filed after separation from active service, making the effective date the date of receipt of the claim.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation, as his current hearing levels do not meet the criteria for any higher rating under the applicable rating schedule.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for clarification on employment issues and additional development under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000. Service connection for hearing loss remains denied, while service connection for a respiratory disorder was granted in May 2000.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen his claim of tinnitus. The decision also noted that he was previously found medically disqualified from flying due to hearing issues.

The Board denied reopening of the veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, residuals of right foot injury, and hearing loss due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a respiratory disorder, hearing loss, tinnitus, vision loss, and a right knee disability. The appeals were decided on their merits without any presumption or reopening of records.

The Board previously denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss in May 1985. The veteran has submitted new evidence, including medical records and audiometric test results, which suggests his hearing loss may be related to non-service exposure (such as otosclerosis or progressive atrophy). However, the evidence does not conclusively establish a direct link between service and his current condition.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied. The Board found that the current medical evidence did not show an increase in disability in his hearing loss and tinnitus, thus denying the claims.