Hearing loss decisions — 2002

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left ear hearing loss and residuals of surgically excised left ear polyp and cholesteatoma with chronic otitis media, finding that the revised criteria did not provide more favorable evaluation options.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection of a right ear hearing loss disability, concluding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The veteran's increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss from March 11, 1996 to June 9, 1999 and from June 10, 1999 have been granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not support his contention of more severe disability.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board has determined that his hearing loss does not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no competent medical evidence establishing a causal relationship between these conditions and his active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss in the right ear and an initial compensable rating for hearing loss in the left ear, finding that he did not meet the criteria for these conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a fungus infection of the feet, finding that there is no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current right ear hearing loss disability is related to his exposure to acoustic trauma during military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the appellant's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active duty for training, resulting in a grant of service connection.

The Board denied a claim for a higher evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the veteran's hearing impairment did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under VA rating criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and a thoracic spine disorder, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was not caused by service-connected conditions, and therefore denied both his claim for service connection for the cause of death and his eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance under Chapter 35. The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's heart disease to any incident or condition during active military service.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection of hearing loss and tinnitus were not granted, as there is no evidence to support a relationship between these conditions and his active military service.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for residuals of bilateral hearing loss was denied due to his failure to report for a scheduled VA examination in December 2000.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations and initial evaluations in excess of certain disability ratings, finding that the current evaluations were appropriate based on the evidence provided.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar strain prior to August 13, 1999. The veteran's subjective complaints of back pain were considered, but did not warrant an evaluation in excess of 20 percent under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board Hearing to be scheduled in accordance with the RO's procedures.

The Board has granted a 40 percent disability evaluation for the period from June 13, 1994 to April 23, 2001 and a 50 percent disability evaluation for the period beginning on April 25, 2001. The appellant is also entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss of the right ear and tinnitus are denied as there is no medical evidence showing current disabilities. The claim for an initial compensable rating for hearing loss of the left ear remains unresolved, and the claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a left wrist fracture has not been addressed.