Hearing loss decisions — 2001

The veteran's arthritis of the left foot is granted as secondary to his service-connected gunshot wound, and he was also granted a 10% rating for this condition.

The VA has determined that the veteran's right ear hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating, as it currently results in Level I hearing impairment.

The Board denied service connection for polio and hearing loss, finding no competent evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss of the right ear was reopened, but his claims for pes planus and hemorrhoids were not reopened.,Service connection is being considered on a direct basis for all three conditions.

The Board has granted increased evaluations for the appellant's service-connected gunshot wound to Muscle Group XII, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The appellant's disability ratings have been adjusted accordingly.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for left ear hearing loss disability in October 1997. The veteran's motion alleging clear and unmistakable error (CUE) was denied as the evidence did not demonstrate entitlement to a compensable evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under either the pre-amendment or post-amendment versions of the hearing loss regulations.

The veteran's claims for service connection for psychiatric disability, lung disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a current skin disability.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The veteran's disabilities are all nonservice-connected and do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound.

The veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is considered to be incurred as a result of noise exposure during active service.

The veteran's service-connected conditions, including cephalalgia, post concussion syndrome, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, are not rated higher than their current levels. The Board found that the veteran is not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ear hearing loss disability was incurred in service and is therefore granted as service connected.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses for private care rendered on May 24, 1999 due to lack of authorization and because the treatment was not in a medical emergency that would have been hazardous to life or health.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current average pure tone thresholds do not warrant such a rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability with respect to bilateral hearing loss, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, or left foot disorder for VA benefits purposes. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disorder, and right elbow disorder due to a lack of evidence demonstrating current disabilities.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right total knee replacement and bilateral hearing loss, effectively preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under the applicable VA rating schedule, and thus denied his claim.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which was previously denied in August 1990. The reopening is based on a VA audiogram conducted in January 1999 indicating moderate to severe mixed hearing loss in both ears.