Hearing loss decisions — 2001

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was granted, but with a noncompensable evaluation. The RO is instructed to schedule the veteran for a VA examination and consider staged ratings.

The Board has found that the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus are pending, while his claim for residuals of tuberculosis was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for service-connected bilateral hearing loss prior to June 10, 1999 is denied. The issue of an effective date prior to March 16, 1999 for tinnitus service connection and rating remains pending.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and a back disability, as well as his request for a compensable evaluation for asbestosis. The evidence does not support these claims.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for left ear otitis media and hearing loss have been denied. The maximum schedular ratings available under the applicable VA rating criteria are not met.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss and an increased evaluation for COPD. The decision found that there was no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria for hearing loss, and thus denied service connection on this basis. For COPD, the Board noted that the veteran met the criteria for a 10% rating but not higher, as his FEV-1/FVC ratio did not meet the required percentage range for a 30% evaluation.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeal due to his death, and no service connection was granted for any of the claimed conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss as there was no evidence of a compensable degree of hearing loss in his left ear, and thus did not meet the criteria under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for back strain with degenerative disc disease and hearing loss. The decision is mixed, as some issues were granted while others were denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that his current conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the veteran did not have a recognized hearing disability in either ear under VA criteria. The claim was denied as his current condition does not meet the requirements of 38 C.F.R. § 3.385.

The Board has denied service connection for a hearing loss disability in the past. The veteran is seeking to reopen this claim and also seeks service connection for other conditions, including back injury, stomach disorder, facial lacerations, and bilateral arm disorders. The case must be returned to the RO for consideration under Hodge v. West (1998) standard.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss was incurred in service and granted service connection for this condition. However, service connection for trench mouth is denied as periodontal disease is not considered a disability eligible for VA compensation.

The Board found no current evidence of a heart disability, bilateral hearing loss, or tinnitus. The veteran's claims for these conditions were denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking the claimed disabilities to service.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have bilateral hearing loss as defined by VA standards and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and the need for a VA psychiatric examination. The veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and his hearing loss claim are being reviewed.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, and has reopened the claim for a back disorder. The veteran's current disability from degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is found to be related to his in-service injuries. The rating for recurrent malignancies of the skin remains at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the RO's denial of the veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss was not well grounded, and thus remanded to obtain additional evidence and comply with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The veteran's tinnitus, right ear hearing loss, and traumatic arthritis of the right ankle are all found to be related to his military service. The residuals of a left middle finger shell fragment wound have also been granted as service-connected.

The veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine disorder, and tinnitus are all granted. The Board found that the veteran likely has current hearing disability due to disease or injury incurred in service, a back disability secondary to disk space narrowing and degenerative changes, and tinnitus due to his now service-connected bilateral hearing loss.