Hearing loss decisions — 2002

The VA has denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected right ear hearing loss, as it does not meet the criteria for a greater than 10 percent evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an effective date prior to March 11, 1996 for tinnitus and for an earlier effective date than September 28, 1999 for his service-connected low back disability.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not causally related to his active service, including noise exposure. As a result, the veteran is denied entitlement to service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was granted, with a 10 percent disability rating effective from June 7, 2002.

The Board found that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in service, and hypertension was not secondary to tinnitus. The claims for these conditions were therefore denied.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, effective July 17, 1990, and August 14, 1997, respectively. The effective dates requested by the veteran are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable initial rating, and thus denied his claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis C, hearing loss, and a back disorder due to lack of new and material evidence.

The VA has denied the veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, finding that his current noncompensable evaluation accurately reflects the severity of his disability based on VA regulations.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss warrants a 10 percent disability rating, which is the minimum rating available under the applicable criteria.

The Board has determined that an earlier effective date for a 100 percent evaluation of the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is not warranted, as it was factually ascertainable that an increase in disability had occurred within one year prior to the filing of his claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his hemorrhoids and right ear hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on current symptoms.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service for hemorrhoids, asthma, or hearing loss. The veteran's claims were denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability originated during his active duty service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for several conditions, finding that the appellant's period of active duty was discharged under dishonorable conditions due to willful and persistent misconduct. The Board also found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The hearing loss in the right ear was not shown in service or within a year thereafter, while left ear hearing loss is currently rated as non-compensable. The left knee disability does not warrant an increase beyond the current 10 percent rating.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, and low back disability are not productive of a level of impairment that warrants an increased rating or service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right femur fracture and left ear hearing loss, as well as his application to reopen a claim of service connection for tuberculosis.

The VA determined that the appellant's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant an increased evaluation, as it currently meets the criteria for a noncompensable rating under the applicable disability evaluation criteria.