Hearing loss decisions — 2002

The Board granted the veteran's claim for service connection for Meniere's syndrome and assigned a 50 percent disability rating, effective from June 10, 1999. The veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is rated at 30 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus did not result from service, as there was no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after service. The VA examiner concluded that the current hearing loss developed several years after service and was not related to acoustic trauma.

The Board dismissed the appellant's appeals due to his withdrawal of all his appeals before the Board.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are causally related to his active service, including exposure to loud artillery during his time in the field artillery unit. As such, the veteran is granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence showing current disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability as defined by VA standards, and thus service connection for this condition is denied.

The veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

The Board denied increased evaluations for the veteran's right wrist disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

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 bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was increased to a 10 percent rating effective June 10, 1999. The RO assigned this staged rating based on the regulatory change made in that date.

The Board denied a compensable disability rating for the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that his hearing impairment did not warrant such a rating based on VA examination results.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, lung disorder, chronic fatigue, and joint pain and muscle soreness due to an undiagnosed illness. The appeal is based on the veteran's service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, with a 10% evaluation effective December 30, 1993. The veteran's claims for increased evaluations are denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his service-connected left femoral fracture with scars and Muscle Group XV involvement, as well as his claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss. The veteran was currently rated at 30 percent for this condition.

The Board found no evidence of vertigo in service and denied the claim for service connection. For bilateral hearing loss, while the veteran's disability was not rated as compensable, it was also denied.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his military service and denied all claims for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for vocational rehabilitation benefits as he does not have a serious employment handicap due to his service-connected disabilities and has overcome the effects of those disabilities through suitable employment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and a higher evaluation for testicular pain and episodes of musculoligamentous strain in the groin. The claim for hearing loss was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence, while the claim for increased rating for testicular pain and groin strain was denied as there is no basis for a higher initial disability rating.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD, finding that the veteran's hearing loss was not shown in active service or for many years thereafter. The Board also found no evidence linking the diagnosed PTSD to active service.

The veteran's small cell squamous cancer of the sinuses is presumed to have been incurred during service due to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The Board also found that his circulatory disorder, weakness of the lower extremities, sleep disorder, impaired sight and hearing loss are related to his small cell squamous cancer of the sinuses.