Hearing loss decisions — 2002

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss, but denied service connection for vision loss and CVA as they are not linked to the veteran's active military service.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the veteran's disability rating for bilateral hearing loss from 60% to 30%, effective January 1, 1999, was proper and restoration of a 60% evaluation is not warranted.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is productive of Level III hearing bilaterally without an exceptional pattern, warranting a noncompensable evaluation.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations.,The veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent, and there are no additional issues related to this condition.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of evidence showing it was incurred during active duty. For asthma, the evaluation remained at 10 percent as there were no findings warranting a higher rating.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss of the right ear based on new and material evidence submitted since the last final denial in November 1996. The additional evidence shows that the veteran meets the criteria for a hearing disability as defined by VA regulations, which may support his claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is more likely than not a result of noise exposure during combat service in World War II, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's right knee disability is evaluated at 50 percent, but not higher. The hearing loss and hip issues are denied as they do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for bilateral hearing loss, maxillary sinusitis, and a right calcaneal spur are denied as there is no evidence of more than mild or incapacitating sinus symptoms.

The veteran's appeal is about the evaluation of his service-connected tinea pedis and the rating for his bilateral hearing loss. The RO has granted service connection but assigned noncompensable ratings to both conditions. The veteran disagrees with these decisions, so the case is being remanded back to the RO for further action.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new and material evidence submitted since the last denial. The claim is granted as the veteran currently has bilateral hearing loss related to his service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation, as his auditory acuity levels do not meet the criteria for any higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that his current condition was not incurred during active duty.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for hearing loss, which was previously denied in September 1998.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of August 13, 1996 for his total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The criteria for assignment of an earlier effective date were not met.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of such conditions within one year of discharge. The psychiatric disability was also not incurred in service. As a result, these claims are denied.

The Board found that the veteran's right ear hearing loss and a disorder manifested by loss of equilibrium were not related to his service or his service-connected left ear hearing loss, and thus denied these claims. The claim for an increased rating for service-connected left ear hearing loss was also denied as there was no evidence showing it was more disabling than currently evaluated.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which was previously denied in March 1993. The evidence now includes a medical statement linking the veteran's current hearing loss to his military service as a radio operator.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for left leg varicose veins and bilateral hearing loss.

The VA denied an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss from May 12, 1998 to February 27, 2001 and noncompensably disabling from February 28, 2001.