Hearing loss decisions — 2002

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating, as it is currently manifested by Level I and Level II hearing acuity in both ears.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, finding that the current 10% rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition based on VA audiological evaluations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, status post aortofemoral bypass for peripheral vascular disease with claudication and clots, coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and an eye disability. The appeals were based on direct evidence of these conditions.

The veteran's hearing acuity is no worse than level I for each ear, and the Board finds that a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is not warranted.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new and material evidence submitted, including opinions from Drs. Shea and Cummings indicating potential service causation.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability did not originate in service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's TDIU claim was granted effective from October 5, 1998. The RO found that the veteran had been prevented from engaging in substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected heart condition since July 31, 1997.

The veteran's claims for effective dates prior to September 13, 2000, for hearing loss and November 21, 2000, for tinnitus have been denied as the earliest possible effective dates are based on when the claims were filed in 2000.

The veteran's claims of service connection for right leg injury, hearing loss, and low back disability were denied. The RO found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claims.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus effective February 26, 1992 and assigned a 10 percent rating. The earlier effective date claim was also granted.

The Board has determined that the criteria for a permanent combined 60 percent rating are not met, as the veteran's service-connected disabilities may improve with treatment and do not have a static or permanent nature.

The veteran's disabilities do not render him unable to care for most of his daily needs without requiring Aid and Attendance (A&A), nor are they housebound in fact. Therefore, the claim for special monthly pension based on A&A or housebound status is denied.

The Board denied service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability, finding that the current condition was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for hearing loss in the right ear prior to May 5, 1999 and a rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss from May 5, 1999 was denied. The old criteria for hearing loss applied before June 10, 1999.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a left arm condition with loss of strength, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or aggravation.

The Board found that the veteran's nerve damage to the left arm and hand was not incurred in service, and his hearing loss of the right ear did not meet VA criteria for disability. Therefore, both claims were denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under either the old or new VA rating criteria. As such, he is currently rated at zero percent (noncompensable) since June 11, 1998.

The Board found no chronic knee, ankle, leg/shin, or hearing loss disability related to service and denied the veteran's claims.