Hearing loss decisions — 2002

The veteran's combined rating is 70%, but his disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The issue of entitlement to service connection will be addressed in a separate decision.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral otosclerosis, postoperative, with hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for the veteran's right ear hearing loss, effective from April 17, 1998. The evidence shows that the veteran currently has profound sensorineural hearing loss in his right ear and normal hearing in his left ear.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) has determined that the veteran's hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated during his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during or immediately following service. The veteran did not receive treatment for these issues until many years after discharge.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for reimbursement or payment of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Lincoln General Hospital from October 30, 1997 to November 3, 1997 due to lack of eligibility under existing laws.

The Board found no current evidence of hearing loss meeting VA regulatory requirements, and denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied reopening the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and ear infection, including otitis media due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for hearing loss of the right ear due to new and material evidence, but denied it on the merits.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a present right ear hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes and denied his claims for increased ratings for service-connected residuals of anal fistulotomy, Crohn's disease with duodenocolonic fistula closure of the duodenum, right and left colectomy, and ileocolonic anastomosis, and ventral hernia.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and hearing loss, but denied earlier effective dates. The veteran's claims were not well-grounded as he did not file a claim for tinnitus until November 1999, and the RO never adjudicated his July 1993 claim for hearing loss.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further action, including scheduling a hearing before the Board at the local RO and issuing a statement of the case on his claim for a compensable evaluation for chondromalacia of the left knee.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has granted a TDIU rating for the veteran's service-connected disabilities, finding that they prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The right peroneal nerve injury is rated at 10 percent and does not warrant an increased rating.

The Board has granted service connection for left hearing loss, but denied service connection for right hearing loss and both shoulder and back disabilities.

The VA denied a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and granted a 10 percent evaluation for ischemic heart disease since September 1, 1999.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability evaluation for pension purposes, finding that his disabilities were due to his own willful misconduct and did not preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, thus denying his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.