Hearing loss decisions — 2001

The veteran's initial noncompensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under the applicable schedular provisions.

The veteran's disability manifested by recurrent low back pain is due to an injury incurred in service, and the Board finds that it is likely that the veteran currently suffers from residual disability of the right middle finger. The claim for increased rating for residuals of fracture of the distal interphalangeal joint of the right middle finger is granted.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the claims are no longer before the Board.

The Board dismissed the veteran's claims due to his death.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for mixed hearing loss was granted, with a current rating of 20 percent effective November 17, 1998.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bronchiectasis and bilateral hearing loss, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen his claims. The decision also noted that there was no evidence of hearing loss in service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person, as he can perform all self-care independently except for some right hand pain.

The VA has determined that the veteran's right ear hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation, as his hearing acuity is consistently at Level I (between 0 and 41 average pure tone decibel hearing loss with between 92 and 100 percent of speech discrimination).

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and further development is needed.

The Board denied a compensable evaluation based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.324, finding that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not warrant a higher rating.

The veteran is denied a higher evaluation for his service-connected hearing loss. The effective date for the grant of service connection for left ear hearing loss is set at November 30, 1973.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for extraschedular evaluations for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not show marked interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization due to these conditions.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable (zero percent) due to the average puretone decibel loss and speech recognition scores, which do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected hearing loss of the left ear was denied as there is no evidence that his hearing loss has warranted a compensable evaluation at any time.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded to the RO for further action, including scheduling a hearing and readjudication.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for hearing loss due to new and material evidence submitted. However, the issue is still pending as it must be decided based on all available evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, bilateral knee disability, and low back pain. The veteran was also denied an increased evaluation for flatfeet.

The RO has reopened the claims for left ear hearing loss and migraines, but denied service connection for bladder cancer. The new evidence submitted is sufficient to reopen these claims.

The VA has denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.