Hearing loss decisions — 2001

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability and a right ear disorder, finding that there is no evidence of such conditions during service or that they were caused by military service.

The veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The Regional Office will review this evidence and provide a Supplemental Statement of the Case if necessary.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the assignment of a 20 percent disability rating for service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. The veteran's appeal from the denial of entitlement to service connection for residuals of nasopharyngeal irradiation was found untimely.

The Board denied both the reopening of the claim for PTSD and the request for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss. The decision is final as the veteran did not perfect his appeal after the RO issued a statement of the case.

The VA Regional Office denied the veteran's claim for service connection of hearing loss. The case is being remanded to provide additional development and consideration.

The veteran's death was caused by his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, which led to a total disability evaluation. The appellant is entitled to DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the veteran's hearing loss and PTSD. The veteran is also asked to clarify whether he wishes to pursue his appeal on the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new and material evidence submitted since the last denial in October 1985. The claim is now considered on its merits.

The Board is considering whether new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss of the right ear. The RO initially denied this claim, but now seeks additional information from the veteran and will review all submitted evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and irritable colon syndrome are related to service. The initial 10 percent evaluation for PTSD is also granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development of the record and adjudication due to missing service medical records, as well as compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board granted a 20 percent disability rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss effective September 18, 2000. The appellant's claim for an earlier effective date for tinnitus was denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a bilateral wrist disorder. The veteran's claim remains denied.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted an increased rating for his service-connected chronic lumbar strain.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and finds that it is warranted due to a high possibility of a medical nexus between the veteran's exposure to loud noises in service and his current hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss is properly evaluated as noncompensable, and thus denied an increased rating.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current hearing acuity does not meet VA criteria for a disability. The issue of waiver of pension overpayment was also dismissed due to lack of an adequate and timely substantive appeal.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected bilateral suppurative otitis media and hearing loss, finding that the evidence does not support a rating in excess of the current 10 percent.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities are sufficient to render him unemployable without regard to his age and any non-service-connected disorders.