Hearing loss decisions — 2001

The Board has determined that the veteran's left ear hearing loss is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a higher rating, as his audiometric results did not meet criteria for a compensable rating under either the old or new rating criteria.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant before a decision was made. As a result, his appeals for increased rating for hearing loss and for an earlier effective date for tinnitus service connection are dismissed.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected hearing loss, currently evaluated as 0 percent disabling.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding no medical evidence to show a nexus between his current hearing loss and military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and inadequate audiometric testing. The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss will be reconsidered after obtaining all necessary information.

The Board found no evidence of a service-connected bilateral hearing loss and denied the claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of vestibular neuronitis have been denied as there is no evidence to support a higher evaluation based on current disability ratings.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature, severity and etiology of any left ear hearing loss and tinnitus. The veteran's service connection claim will be remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for left ear hearing loss. The veteran's current hearing loss is being evaluated in order to determine if it is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's left ear hearing loss is service-connected and granted service connection. The lumbosacral strain issue remains at a noncompensable rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was insufficient evidence to establish a link between his current condition and military service.

The veteran's conditions do not meet the criteria for an increased rate of pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has determined that the veteran's vocational goal of becoming a gunsmith is reasonably feasible for purposes of entitlement to vocational rehabilitation and training under Chapter 31, Title 38, United States Code.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence of a current disability within the meaning of 38 C.F.R. § 3.385, and thus could not establish service connection based on direct service connection.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities include bilateral pes planus, residuals of frostbite of the right and left feet, and a low back disorder. The RO granted increased ratings for these conditions and also granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and a rating in excess of 10 percent for left varicocele, finding that there was no evidence linking current conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, with the best ear showing Level I impairment and the worst ear showing Level II impairment. The evidence does not support a higher rating under any applicable criteria.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic hearing loss or tinnitus during service, and the medical evidence does not establish a causal relationship between current hearing loss and tinnitus and any incident of service. The veteran's claims for service connection were denied.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and Meniere's syndrome, finding no evidence of in-service hearing loss or a link to service.