Hearing loss decisions — 2002

The Board denied the veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations and increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not support these claims as of June 10, 1999. The veteran was subsequently granted a noncompensable evaluation from November 22, 1994 to June 10, 1999 and an increased rating to 10 percent effective June 10, 1999 to February 4, 2001. A subsequent reduction in the rating was granted on February 5, 2001.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which was previously denied in January 1991. The claim is now reopened.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for defective vision and bilateral hearing loss, finding new and material evidence. The claim for tinnitus is also granted as it is associated with the hearing loss.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability does not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for left lateral rectus palsy and left ear hearing loss, finding that neither condition warranted a rating in excess of the current assigned evaluations.

The Board found that the veteran's current left ear hearing loss is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran failed to report for a VA examination and did not provide adequate medical evidence of current disabilities. As such, service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss disability, which was previously denied in February 1985. The decision is based on additional medical records and testimony from the veteran and his spouse.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected left ear hearing loss does not warrant an increased evaluation, as it currently manifests auditory acuity level I.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability does not warrant a compensable evaluation under VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims of service connection for residuals of bilateral foot injuries and for bilateral hearing loss. The veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is shown as likely due to an injury suffered during service, warranting service connection.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, which is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability, hearing loss, residuals of hepatitis, and a back disability. The veteran's eye disorder is not considered a condition that can be service-connected.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus were denied. The RO has expended sufficient efforts to obtain all relevant evidence necessary for an equitable disposition of the appeal.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for residuals of otitis media and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence does not support a compensable rating under applicable VA regulations.,Both conditions have been rated based on their impact on auditory acuity as measured by pure tone audiometry tests.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence of current hearing loss by VA standards.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected hearing loss of the left ear and tinnitus. The veteran was awarded noncompensable ratings for both conditions, with a compensable rating (10%) granted only for tinnitus after March 10, 1976.

The VA determined that the veteran's hearing loss did not warrant a compensable rating, as his current average pure tone threshold was 39 dB in both ears and speech recognition ability was 100 percent in both ears. The veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss warrants a 60 percent evaluation effective June 5, 2001. The initial evaluation for tinnitus remains at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss warrants a 10 percent evaluation as of June 10, 1999. The claim for a compensable evaluation prior to this date is denied.