Hearing loss decisions — 2002

The veteran's appeal was denied for multiple conditions, including service connection claims and rating increases.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the evidence did not warrant a higher evaluation.

The veteran's claim for service connection for myopic astigmatism of both eyes is denied as it is a developmental condition and not a disability under the law for purposes of service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for ear problems and hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or etiological link to service.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for hearing loss, sinusitis, and 'body fungus,' but denied reopening of the claim for service connection for hearing loss due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD and denied service connection for this condition. The issue of service connection for a left ear disorder is inextricably intertwined with the issue of hearing loss, which requires further development.

The Board found that the appellant did not timely file a substantive appeal for his claims, and thus lacks jurisdiction to consider them.

The Board determined that the veteran did not file an adequate substantive appeal for his claims of service connection and nonservice-connected pension benefits, thus dismissing these issues.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, as it is currently rated at Level II and combined with the nonservice-connected left ear to result in a noncompensable rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss as there is no competent evidence linking his current condition to service or inservice noise exposure.

The Board has granted a 30 percent disability rating for the veteran's bilateral hearing loss, effective from when the appeal was filed. The previous 20 percent rating is increased by an additional 10 percent due to exceptional circumstances.

The veteran became unemployable due to service-connected disabilities in October 1993, and his TDIU claim was granted with an effective date of July 26, 1995. The 60 percent evaluation for residuals of aortic aneurysm was also granted with an effective date of January 26, 1999.

The veteran's left thigh injury with retained foreign body is not painful or tender, and does not interfere with function. The VA has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss was caused by exposure to acoustic trauma during service.

The Board has found new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disability and hearing loss. The veteran's cervical spine disability is deemed incurred during active military service, while his hearing loss may also be related to service.

The VA determined that the veteran's hearing loss did not warrant a compensable evaluation, as it was only at Level III in both ears.

The Board found that the appellant does not have a defective hearing disability or tinnitus related to service. The initial medical evidence of these conditions was shown many years after service, following a post-service head injury.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and an initial rating higher than 10 percent for thoracic kyphosis, Scheuermann's disease. The decision found that new evidence did not present a basis to reopen the claim for hearing loss and that the current disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under VA regulations.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the veteran's death.

The Board found no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's current right ear hearing loss disability to his service, and denied his claim of service connection.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a compensable evaluation is not warranted based on current audiometric findings.