Hearing loss decisions — 2001

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and an ear disorder characterized as drainage of the ears, finding no evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The appellant's request for a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals has been granted, and he is scheduled to have a Travel Board hearing. The case will be returned to the regional office for scheduling this hearing.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and ensuring compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000. The claims will be readjudicated based on all applicable laws and regulations.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a concussion and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence to support these conditions as incurred in service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and a fractured nose with a deviated nasal septum, finding that neither condition warranted an increase in disability rating.

The appellant's total disability picture results in the need for regular and constant use of a wheelchair or other assistive device as a normal mode of locomotion. However, his service-connected disabilities do not result in loss of use of any extremity, thus he does not qualify for a certificate of eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to substantiate the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of a shell fragment wound of the left leg were denied as his conditions did not warrant higher evaluations.

The veteran's PTSD is granted as it has been medically linked to his service in Vietnam. The claim for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, including acoustic trauma sustained during active duty. Therefore, both conditions have been granted service connection.

The veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to a disability rating of more than 30 percent for sinusitis prior to the Board's decision.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his inability to use both lower extremities without aid.

The Board has been notified of the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The veteran's hearing loss was present before the VA treatment in October 1994, and he does not have additional hearing loss as a result of that treatment.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that it is not related to his military service.

The VA RO denied the veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence does not warrant a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has remanded the case due to incomplete development and potential legal issues under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000. The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The veteran's claims for higher evaluations for bilateral hearing loss and left knee disorder were denied. The RO granted a 40 percent evaluation for the left knee disorder, effective from May 1, 1999.

The Board has determined that the veteran is not entitled to a compensable disability evaluation for hearing loss.