Hearing loss decisions — 2002

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and left ear hearing loss, and is now evaluating both conditions together. The veteran's right ear hearing loss remains at issue but will be evaluated in conjunction with the other issues.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss of the right ear, which was previously denied in July 1979. The current evidence shows current hearing loss disability as evidenced by a VA examination conducted in May 1998.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his exposure to high levels of noise during service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a higher rating, as his current level of impairment is at level I in both ears.

The VA determined that the veteran does not have current bilateral hearing loss as defined for VA purposes, and therefore denied his claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and increased rating for generalized anxiety disorder, but granted an increased rating for dorsolumbar paravertebral myositis; dorsoscoliosis.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation on a schedular basis, and thus denied his claim.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for otitis media and for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and sinusitis. The evidence does not establish current diagnoses or show an increase in severity of these disabilities.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus) do not meet the criteria for a total rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disabilities as his combined disability rating is less than 70%.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability due to new and material evidence submitted. However, the claim remains denied as there is no evidence linking the current hearing loss to service.

The Board found that the evidence submitted since the March 1997 denial was not new and material, thus denying the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran incurred a left inguinal hernia and suffered a head injury during his military service, resulting in an undescended left testicle and hormonal disorder. The Board also found that the veteran's head injury resulted in recurrent headaches, dizziness, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board finds that an effective date earlier than October 27, 1998 for the award of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is not warranted. The veteran's informal claim was received by the RO on October 27, 1998, and no earlier dated correspondence or statements were received indicating an intent to file or reopen a claim for this benefit.

The veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, status post tympanomastoidectomy and meatoplasty has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew his appeal.

The Board finds that the veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition. The tinnitus claim is denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.

The veteran's appeal for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to July 16, 2001 was denied. The appeal for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss subsequent to July 15, 2001 was also denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as there is no evidence of any disability in question being incurred or aggravated during his active military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to noise exposure during active duty for training in 1978, and service connection is granted.

The veteran's right ear hearing loss was evaluated as Level I under the old criteria, and no changes were noted in his hearing status. The claim for an increased rating is denied.