Hearing loss decisions — 2002

The Board has denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's service-connected sensorineural hearing loss, currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining relevant medical records and arranging for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any knee disability and hearing loss. The claims will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of such conditions in service or following service.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, as his current level of disability does not warrant such an increase.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for sensorineural hearing loss and left knee arthrotomy with arthritic changes were denied due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has determined that Meniere's disease was initially manifested during active service and is therefore incurred in service.

The VA has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating, as his level of hearing acuity in each ear is level I.

The appellant withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision.

The veteran's left foot disability was incurred in service, and her heart murmur was not shown to be related to service. The other conditions were either not found or are presumed to have been caused by the veteran's active duty.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that new and material evidence had not been presented.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than zero percent for left ear hearing loss, finding that his hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation based on the current evidence of record.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a right knee disorder. The issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for low back disability is remanded.

The veteran's tinnitus is rated at 10 percent effective May 8, 1998. The RO granted a compensable evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss as of the same date. Both conditions are evaluated under regular schedular criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a left ear disability, to include hearing loss, in May 1981. The evidence submitted since then is not new and material.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability and his tinnitus is related to service-connected migraine headaches. The claim for increased rating of migraine headaches is denied, but he is granted a separate compensable rating for tinnitus. His prostate condition claim is also denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and infectious hepatitis as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board denied the veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for his service connection and disability ratings for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the appellant meets the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and bilateral hearing loss.

The VA has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating, and thus denied his claim for an initial compensable rating.