Hearing loss decisions — 2003

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the veteran, and thus the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current left ear hearing loss disability and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss due to new and material evidence submitted, but denied the claim as there is no evidence that his hearing loss was incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board denied an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the veteran's current level of hearing impairment does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss and granted a separate 10 percent rating for tinnitus. The veteran's tinnitus is rated as constant, meeting the criteria for a 10 percent rating.