Hearing loss decisions — 2001

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no medical evidence of a current disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that his preexisting condition did not worsen during service and there was no evidence of aggravation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical records and a need for further examination. The veteran's hearing loss in the left ear is being reviewed, but service connection will be decided based on the merits of the evidence.

The VA denied a higher disability rating for the veteran's bilateral hearing loss from June 1998, as his hearing loss is currently rated at noncompensable.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, and increased evaluations for his nasal bone fracture and anxiety neurosis with history of PTSD. The RO confirmed and continued the noncompensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss.

The appellant is granted a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings for various hearing, ear, and gastric conditions. The RO also granted service connection for tinnitus but assigned a noncompensable rating to his left ear hearing loss.

The veteran's claim for higher initial disability evaluations for bilateral hearing loss from April 10, 1998 and June 10, 1999 was denied as the evidence did not support a higher evaluation under VA rating criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and hearing loss.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his current hearing levels do not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, right knee disability, and right hip disability, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain employment due to his severe arthritis.

The veteran's service-connected left ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.

The Board has denied the appellant's claim for a compensable initial disability evaluation for service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss in the right ear and a low back disorder, but granted service connection for PTSD effective July 20, 1998. The appeal is dismissed as to these issues.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and an increased evaluation for history of right Bell's palsy were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to his in-service exposure to aircraft and weapons noise.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The evidence shows that the veteran likely experienced noise trauma during his military service, which could be related to his current hearing impairment.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that it is not directly related to his military service.

The Board has determined that a VA audiological examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of any hearing loss present, as well as whether it is related to service. The case will be remanded for this purpose.