Hearing loss decisions — 2002

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred or aggravated during active service and may not be presumed to have been incurred due to noise exposure. The claim for service connection is denied.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted, with a 10 percent evaluation effective September 5, 2000. The claims for low back pain and shoulder and neck disability as secondary to service-connected left arm wound were denied. Service connection for the neck disability was not addressed due to lack of evidence. PTSD claim is pending.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, a low back disability, and bilateral hearing loss. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of an injury to the left arm and hearing loss in the left ear, finding that these conditions are related to service. The veteran's claims for reopening his jungle rot and left knee disability claims have been remanded.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service. The Board found that the evidence did not allow for a conclusion that the veteran's hearing loss was attributable to military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated by his active military service and denied his claim for service connection.