Hearing loss decisions — 2002

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and vision loss due to a lack of current evidence meeting VA criteria for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and spastic colon warrant specific ratings, while his right preauricular cyst and left great toenail have been partially granted with effective dates. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted and others denied or not resolved.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his period of active military service.

The VA determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hearing loss in his right ear or PTSD, and thus denied both claims.

The veteran's claim for an initial evaluation of bilateral hearing loss has been denied as the evidence does not support a compensable rating at any time since December 15, 1980.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence linking his current hearing impairment to events during active duty.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the veteran's pre-existing conditions did not worsen during service and there was no evidence of noise exposure in service.

The Board found no medical evidence linking the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus to his military service, thus denying his claims for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss but denied service connection for left ear hearing loss due to lack of evidence of a current disability.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not meet the eligibility requirements for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment due to his service-connected disabilities, as they do not result in loss of use of one or both feet or hands.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his right knee and shoulder disorders, as well as a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, have been denied. The RO has assigned the highest available rating (10%) for each condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an extraschedular evaluation for his service-connected right ear hearing loss, finding that the disability did not result in hospitalization or marked interference with employment.

The Board has granted an increased evaluation of 10% for chronic otitis media, left ear with perforation of the eardrum and a noncompensable evaluation for defective hearing. The effective date is to be determined by the Regional Office.

The veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss and loss of vision were previously denied due to lack of evidence showing a current disability. New evidence submitted since the previous denial does not establish new or material evidence for either claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's prostatic condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are related to his military service. The benefit of doubt has been applied in favor of the veteran.

The Board has granted the veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for hearing loss of his right ear. The issue is now before the Board for a de novo determination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a back disorder, bilateral eye disability, and initial evaluations for hearing loss. The evidence submitted was not new and material to reopen the claim for service connection for a back disorder.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred or aggravated by service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left foot disability and bilateral ankle disability, as well as his claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The decision also noted that the veteran's tinnitus was rated at the maximum under the old criteria but no evidence showed it presented an exceptional disability picture.

The Board found no current right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes, as the veteran's audiometric results did not meet the criteria of impaired hearing under VA regulations.