Hearing loss decisions — 2002

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new and material evidence submitted since the final denial in December 1975. The evidence now supports a finding that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service.

The Board found that there was no evidence linking the veteran's hearing loss in the right ear to service, and that his PTSD did not meet the criteria for service connection due to a lack of verified in-service stressor. The veteran's claims were therefore denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for dependency and indemnity compensation benefits, finding that the claim was not filed until February 9, 1999 when new evidence (the amended death certificate) established entitlement.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and his eligibility for outpatient dental treatment based on a noncompensable service-connected dental condition. The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral sensorineural hearing loss began after service and was not related to service, and that his current dental conditions were due to old age and noise exposure rather than service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for compensable evaluations for left ear hearing loss and left ear otitis media, as well as a claim for a 10 percent evaluation based on multiple, noncompensable service-connected disabilities. The preponderance of evidence was against these claims.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial compensable evaluation for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied an increased disability evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the currently assigned noncompensable rating was appropriate based on audiometric test results.

The veteran's Meniere's Syndrome with associated hearing loss, tinnitus, and dizziness is rated at a 60 percent disability rating effective April 9, 1993.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, vision loss, and arteriosclerosis due to tobacco use. The decision found that new and material evidence was not submitted sufficient to reopen the claim of service connection for hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, specifically his noise exposure during active duty. Therefore, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The low back disorder to include arthritis is also denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the disability and service.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not warrant a higher noncompensable rating based on the audiometric test results provided.

The Board found that the veteran's PTSD is manifested by social impairment with symptoms such as irritability, sleep disturbances, avoidant behavior, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts. The evaluation of 50 percent for PTSD was granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for bilateral hearing loss and malaria have been denied as there is no evidence of a compensable level of disability for either condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disorder and bilateral hearing loss, finding no evidence of a nexus to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which was previously denied in May 1999. The reopening of the claim allows consideration on its merits.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current level of disability does not warrant such a rating based on recent audiometric test results.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for a right ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence showing it was incurred or aggravated by his military service.