Hearing loss decisions — 2001

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including kidney disorder, foot disability, menstrual disorder, left ear hearing loss, psychiatric disability, hypertension, eye disability, hemorrhoids, and sinus disability. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active military service.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and chronic otitis media of the left ear with tympanic membrane perforation, both rated at 10 percent. The effective dates are set as of May 1, 2000.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral high frequency hearing loss was denied by the RO. The current noncompensable rating is appropriate based on the VA audiological examinations conducted in August 1998 and May 2000.

The veteran's appeal regarding a higher initial disability rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied by the RO. The case is being remanded to obtain additional development, including a VA audiological examination.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD. The Board found that these conditions did not begin during or as a result of his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and low back disability. The noncompensable evaluations assigned were found to be appropriate under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss warrants a 10 percent disability rating, as his hearing impairment does not meet or approximate criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the previously denied claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for bilateral hearing loss and otitis media are denied as there is no evidence of a suppurative process or aural polyps, which would warrant a higher rating under either the old or revised rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ear hearing loss existed prior to service and did not increase in severity during service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which was denied in January 1999. The evidence presented did not establish a causal link between the veteran's current hearing loss and his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at a 10 percent evaluation, which meets the criteria for an initial compensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for left ear hearing loss cannot be earlier than October 17, 1997.

The veteran's initial claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was denied by the RO, and no rating has been assigned since the grant of service connection in April 1997.

The Board granted a 20 percent disability rating for the veteran's service-connected low back strain and denied a compensable evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran withdrew his appeal before a decision was made.

The Board finds that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during service or a nexus between them and in-service noise exposure. The preponderance of the evidence does not support the claims for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and a compensable evaluation for right ear hearing loss. The veteran's tinnitus was granted, but the initial rating of 10 percent is maintained.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and evaluation of his hearing loss disabilities, finding no evidence of a right ear hearing loss disability after service. The left ear hearing loss was evaluated as noncompensable.