Hearing loss decisions — 2002

The veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability of either ear, and therefore service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance of another person or being permanently housebound.

The Board denied an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the veteran's disability did not warrant a higher rating under either the former or revised regulations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for otitis media with mastoiditis and hearing loss, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the former claim and concluding that current hearing loss did not originate in or was not aggravated by service.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is linked to noise exposure during military service and granted his claim for service connection.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his request for withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board found that the veteran's temporomandibular joint disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim for service connection. For his bilateral hearing loss, the Board determined that a noncompensable evaluation is appropriate throughout the initial rating period.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to May 24, 2000 for the grant of service connection and a 100% disability rating for hearing loss. The earliest date that may be assigned for service connection is May 24, 2000.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no current disability and insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on his audiometric test results.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, arranging for a VA psychiatric examination, and readjudicating the claims on both direct and secondary bases.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were incurred in service due to exposure to noise during active duty for training.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for an ear disability including hearing loss, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen his claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss disability is related to noise exposure during active military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board finds that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are causally related to his active service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with aggravation during service for hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cardiovascular disorder, including hypertension, chest pain, and heart disease, is related to his military service. However, there is no evidence of a current hearing loss disability for which service connection can be granted.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be service-connected.,The left eye disorder is not considered a disability for VA compensation purposes. The cervical spine, low back, right lower extremity (right ankle), left upper extremity on organic basis, genitourinary disorder, psychiatric disorder, headaches and memory loss on organic basis, and stomach disability are all found to be not service-connected.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the veteran's conditions are related to his active duty service.

The veteran's right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo and LOC are not considered to be the result of his surgeries at a VA medical facility in 1994. The Board finds that these conditions existed prior to the surgeries.