Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board finds that the veteran's bilateral varicose veins, status post ligation and stripping warrant a compensable rating of 10 percent.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and prostate condition, including as due to Agent Orange exposure, are not well grounded. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for either condition.

The Board found that the veteran's claims of right ear hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus were not well-grounded, as there was no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his service. The claim is therefore denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his inability to appear for a scheduled hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The case will be returned to the RO for scheduling another hearing.

The veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his audiometric findings did not meet the criteria for any higher rating under VA regulations.

The veteran's brain tumor in postoperative status is service-connected, and his tinea pedis was also incurred during active service. The other claims for service connection are not well-grounded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for bronchitis, sinusitis, low back disability, and bilateral hearing loss are not well-grounded. The evidence does not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral conductive hearing loss and otitis media with bilateral mastoiditis due to unclear findings regarding dizziness, which requires further examination. The RO is also instructed to obtain any relevant medical records from Dr. Arnaldo Perez Vega and VA treatment centers.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to higher evaluations for his service-connected hearing loss, service connection for a low back disorder, and service connection for hypertension. The reasons given were that there was no medical evidence linking any current disabilities to the veteran's period of active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for his hearing loss, cervical spine condition, left shoulder arthritis, and right wrist disability. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the service-connected low back disability, including degenerative disc disease at L4-5. The claim of an initial compensable rating for pronator muscle syndrome of the right arm is also granted. No new ratings are granted for COPD or left ear hearing loss. Service connection for chronic disability resulting from asbestos exposure and chronic sinusitis is denied.

The veteran received a schedular maximum rating of 30 percent for residuals of mastoidectomy with vertigo and tinnitus from October 23, 1992 to June 9, 1999.,From June 10, 1999, the veteran's vertigo as a residual of mastoidectomy was rated at 30 percent under Diagnostic Code 6204 and left ear tinnitus was rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 6260.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for headaches and denied service connection for defective hearing. The additional evidence submitted did not establish a relationship between the veteran's current conditions and military service.

The veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an increased rating for deviated nasal septum were denied. The Board found that the veteran had not submitted a well-grounded claim for service connection for hearing loss, and concluded that the current disability was not related to his in-service noise exposure.

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

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and for increased ratings for left eye aphakia and chronic bilateral ingrown nails of the great toes and second left toenail with onychomycosis. The decision found that there was no current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss, and that the veteran's current rating for left eye aphakia is at its maximum level.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, depression, and lumbosacral strain with right sciatic irritation. The decision also determined that no new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for a back disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his various disabilities, finding that he is not in need of such assistance.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, carpal tunnel syndrome, and back disorder are not well grounded. The claim of increased rating for iliotibial band tendinitis is denied.

The Board denied increased ratings for bilateral otitis media, bilateral hearing loss, pes planus, and dermatophytosis with tinea cruris due to the veteran's failure to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.