Hearing loss decisions — 2002

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for right inguinal hernia repair and service connection for hearing loss due to lack of evidence from a scheduled VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is related to noise exposure during his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current hearing loss to service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied an increased rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss, currently evaluated as 20 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which was previously denied in September 1994. The reopening of this claim is allowed.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which was previously denied in 1954. The decision is based on a finding that the evidence presented since the last denial bears directly and substantially upon the specific matter under consideration.

The veteran's appeal for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew his appeal.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) for the period before July 23, 1998 due to lack of evidence showing he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and the reopening of a claim for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to military service.

The Board denied the reopening of a claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that no new and material evidence had been presented.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and a rating of 70 percent for PTSD, effective April 4, 2000. The appellant's PTSD symptoms have resulted in significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board denied service connection for defective hearing in a February 24, 1956 decision. The Board found that the correct facts were known at the time and applied the relevant regulations correctly.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and peripheral neuropathy, as well as his claim for increased ratings for PTSD. The evidence did not establish a causal link between these conditions and his period of active duty.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an ear disorder with hearing loss, a skin disorder, and benign prostatic hyperplasia. The evidence did not show any such conditions during active service or as a result of exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are related to his active service, specifically his combat exposure in Vietnam. The claim is granted.

The veteran's PTSD results in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent evaluation. Right ear hearing loss is not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking it to service. Left ear tinnitus is secondary to the service-connected left ear hearing impairment.

The Board has granted an effective date of May 1, 1980 for the TDIU based on the veteran's service-connected disabilities preventing him from working.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and a heart condition secondary to his service-connected hypertensive vascular disease. The claim for an increased rating for hypertensive vascular disease was also denied.