Hearing loss decisions — 2002

The Board denied an increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss as the veteran's current hearing acuity does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under either the old or new versions of the rating schedule.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which was previously denied in March 1991. The evidence now indicates a relationship between current hearing loss and active service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD. However, the decision is mixed as some issues have merit while others do not.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated as level I, resulting in a noncompensable rating. The Board denied the claim for a compensable rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for reopening service connection for PTSD, bilateral knee disorders, hearing loss, excessive sweating, bursitis of the left hip, and loss of memory due to lack of new and material evidence.

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

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities has been remanded due to the addition of new evidence and changes in his service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for service-connected bilateral hearing loss effective from June 10, 2000. The veteran's tinnitus is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent.

The veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The evidence did not support a higher evaluation under any applicable criteria.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and thus the claim is reopened. The merits of the claim will be addressed in a subsequent decision.

The Board found no evidence of a current left ear disability or residuals of an injury incurred in service. The claim for hearing loss was reopened due to new and material evidence, but the issue of service connection remains undecided.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated during his active service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has found the evidence sufficient to reopen and grant service connection for the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, which is considered a direct result of military service exposure.

The VA has denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, as the February 2002 examination showed average puretone decibel (dB) losses in both ears and speech recognition ability of 92 percent, warranting a noncompensable disability evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD due to lack of credible supporting evidence of a stressor. The claims for reopening the foot disorder, hearing loss in the right ear, and chronic skin disorder of the groin and thigh were also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for right ear hearing loss, right ear infection, and loss of sense of taste due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were caused by VA hospitalization or treatment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral high frequency sensorineural hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation, as his current pure tone threshold levels do not meet the criteria for any higher rating under Diagnostic Code 6100.

The veteran's TDIU was granted effective from June 12, 1985 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from engaging in substantially gainful employment since that date.

The Board denied service connection for low back strain, hearing loss, tinnitus, and residuals of a right ring finger injury in June 1997. The veteran is contesting this decision on grounds of clear and unmistakable error.