Hearing loss decisions — 2003

The Board has restored service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to clear and unmistakable error in the September 1983 rating decision that severed it. The issue of whether new and material evidence was submitted to reopen a claim for service connection is moot as service connection has been granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of timely filing of a substantive appeal. The RO previously denied claims of service connection for epididymitis, rhinitis, osteoarthritis of the cervical, dorsal, and lumbar spine, and sinus condition on final basis. New evidence received since previous denials is not sufficient to reopen these claims.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as an increased evaluation for his service-connected healed left zygomatic arch fracture. The RO decisions are considered final.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right otitis media with hearing loss, finding that the veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his service-connected meningitis residuals, finding that there were no active manifestations or symptoms related to the condition.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for otitis media of the right ear with right ear hearing loss, as the veteran's hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a bilateral eye disorder, gastrointestinal disorder, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, arthritis, and unspecified cancer. The evidence did not support an etiological relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of service connection for Meniere's disease with right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the appropriate effective date was February 2, 1996.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim for service connection.

The VA has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating, as his audiometric results do not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new medical evidence linking the condition to active service. The case will be further developed.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes and denied his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at the highest possible level (100%), and he has other service-connected disabilities that render him unable to work. His hearing loss, hand injuries, shoulder injuries, ankle injury, wrist injury, and leg injury are all rated as they should be based on their severity.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current hearing loss of the right ear is related to his military service and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The VA determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has determined that service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is warranted, as there is competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service. For the right leg venous circulatory impairment, a rating of 20 percent was granted effective from June 13, 1994.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for the veteran's left ear hearing loss disability, effective from November 2001.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding no competent medical evidence to support a link between the appellant's hearing loss and his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's discoid lupus erythematosus was not incurred in service and denied service connection. For bilateral hearing loss, the Board found that it had its origins in service.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate based on the current level of disability.