Hearing loss decisions — 2001

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under the applicable rating criteria.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not present in service or manifest for many years thereafter, and is not shown to be otherwise related to service. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the veteran's claim.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for tinnitus, hearing loss, and a back disability. However, there is no competent medical evidence etiologically linking these conditions to military service or any inservice injury. The claim of PTSD was not supported by sufficient evidence in this decision.

The VA determined that the veteran's left ear hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an audiological examination.

The Board dismissed the appeal because a timely substantive appeal was not filed for the issue of service connection for hearing loss.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the tinnitus rating and did not reopen the claim for bilateral hearing loss. The case is remanded to obtain updated medical records, provide a VA examination, and determine if new evidence supports reopening the bilateral hearing loss claim.

The Board denied service connection for a shell fragment wound to the forehead, granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus incurred during active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection, finding no evidence to support his assertions of secondary right knee disability or other service-connected conditions. The veteran was also not granted a total rating based on individual unemployability due to his non-service-connected Down syndrome.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension on account of being in need of aid and attendance of another person or on account of being housebound was denied as he does not meet the criteria for such benefits.

The RO denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss due to lack of well-groundedness. The case is now remanded because of a change in the law regarding claims processing.

The Board finds that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is a result of noise exposure during his military service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, specifically his role as an aircraft mechanic. The claim for service connection is granted.

The RO denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to it being not well grounded. The case is now remanded because of a change in the law regarding claims and the need to obtain additional records.

The veteran's hearing loss of the right ear is currently manifested by an average pure tone threshold of 88 decibels, which does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The claim for an increased (compensable) rating for hearing loss of the right ear is denied.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for initial ratings in excess of 0 percent for hearing loss of the right ear, tinnitus, and sinusitis.

The veteran's appeal is for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. The case has been remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations to determine the impact of his disabilities on his employability.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent since June 11, 1997.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss. The issues of service connection for a skin disorder due to exposure to Agent Orange and PTSD remain under consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and found that the veteran's current hearing disability is related to his military service. The claims for prostate cancer, lung cancer, and a compensable rating for right shoulder tendinitis are remanded due to insufficient evidence.