Hearing loss decisions — 2002

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected, but his tinnitus claim is denied.

The VA determined that the veteran's right ear hearing loss does not warrant a compensable disability rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active military service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the claim. The right eye scar is not considered service-connected.

The veteran's hearing loss disability was initially rated as noncompensable from September 23, 1998 to August 10, 2001. Effective August 10, 2001, the RO increased his rating to 20 percent.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected herniated nucleus pulposus with early degenerative changes at L4-5 does not warrant an increased evaluation, and his bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected, as it was shown to have manifested during his military service and continued thereafter.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, low back injury, and neck injury were denied as there is no current disability found to be related to military service.

The Board has found that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease. The claims are now the subject of further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 18, 1992, for a grant of compensation benefits pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected residuals of a fractured right mandible and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not warrant a compensable rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board denied service connection for an inguinal hernia, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claims of reopening these issues were also denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as the veteran did not submit a timely substantive appeal with the July 2000 RO rating decision.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss and perforated right eardrum were determined to be incurred as a result of active service.

The Board has determined that the effective date for service connection of bilateral hearing loss should be March 25, 1974, based on the veteran's informal claim received at that time.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and an ulcer condition. The evidence shows that the veteran experienced symptoms of these conditions during his military service, but they were not formally diagnosed or linked to service at that time. The Board will proceed with a determination on whether these conditions are related to active duty.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss did not develop during service or within one year post-service, and is not related to military noise exposure. As such, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not have its onset during service and is not related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, a sinus condition, and a left eye injury. The evidence did not meet the criteria for hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulations.