Hearing loss decisions — 2002

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ear hearing loss, which is currently rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 6100 (prior to and subsequent to June 10, 1999), does not warrant a higher rating as her hearing acuity in both ears does not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation.

The VA determined that the veteran's hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under either the old or new rating criteria.

The Board denied a compensable evaluation for hearing loss of the right ear and an increased evaluation for otitis media with cholesteatoma, right ear.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus of the left ear is service-connected, and his right ear hearing loss is rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and Meniere's disease, finding no evidence of a chronic disability related to military service.

The Board finds that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, specifically noise exposure during his time as a gunner in World War II. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has reopened the veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new and material evidence. The Board also found that the veteran's pre-existing hearing loss did not worsen during his military service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection due to new evidence linking his current hearing loss disability to inservice acoustic trauma. The Board finds that the veteran was exposed to acoustic trauma during active service and grants service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability.

The VA determined that the veteran's hearing impairment did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, thus denying his claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding no evidence of a nexus between his current disability and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a compensable rating for the fungus infection of the right ear, finding that the veteran's hearing loss did not stem from his military service or his service-connected condition.

The veteran withdrew his appeal, leaving no issues for the Board to consider.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss, currently rated at 10 percent, does not warrant a higher evaluation based on current evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated during service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations for his service-connected hearing loss of the left ear and residuals of a fracture of the dorsal aspect of the left foot, finding that the evidence does not support a compensable rating under VA regulations.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including scheduling a hearing before an RO Hearing Officer. If not granted, the case will be scheduled for a Travel Board hearing.

The veteran's initial claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was denied prior to November 28, 2000. After this date, he received an increased rating of 10 percent effective November 28, 2000. The Board found no earlier effective date is warranted as the evidence did not show symptomatology severe enough to warrant a 10% evaluation prior to that date.

The Board found that the appellant did not sustain a neck or back injury during his active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and there is no medical evidence linking any current neck or back disorders to service. For bilateral hearing loss, the Board noted that while the appellant contends he developed this condition due to exposure to acoustic trauma during ACDUTRA, there was insufficient medical evidence to support a finding of service connection.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD. The claim for PTSD was not granted, while the claim for bilateral hearing loss was reopened due to new evidence.