BVA9503328 
DOCKET NO.  91-38 874     )       DATE
          )
          )

On appeal from the
Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Houston, Texas

THE ISSUES

1.  Entitlement to service connection for hearing loss,
generalized arthritis, diabetes, hypertension, a fungal disorder,
and inguinal hernia.

2.  Whether new and material evidence has been submitted to
reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for a back
disorder.

3.  Entitlement to a compensable evaluation for malaria.

4.  Entitlement to a compensable evaluation for residuals of
removal of a right ureteral calculus.

WITNESSES AT HEARING ON APPEAL

The veteran and his wife

ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD

J.P.  Reep,  Associate Counsel

INTRODUCTION

The veteran served on active duty from May 1940 to May 1945.

This matter came before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (the Board)
on appeal from January and March 1990 rating decisions of the
Albuquerque, New Mexico Regional Office (RO) of the Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA), which, among other actions, denied service
connection for hearing loss, arthritis, diabetes, residuals of a
kidney injury, right inguinal hernia, hypertension, and a fungal
disorder of the feet.  The RO also granted an increased rating of
30 percent for the veteran's service connected post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD), but denied compensable ratings for
residuals of right ureteral calculus removal and malaria.  The
veteran and his wife testified before a travel panel of the Board,
sitting at Houston, Texas, in July 1991.  The case was received at
the Board in August 1991.

In July 1992 the Board remanded the case to the Houston, Texas RO
for further development regarding service connection for a back
disorder.  The Board also directed the RO to consider the
veteran's claims regarding loss of teeth, a left hip disorder, and
pes planus, in accord with decisions of the U.S. Court of Veterans
Appeals.  By a November 1992 rating decision, the RO denied
service connection for loss of teeth.  After a February 1993
rating decision denied service connection for pes planus, a left
hip disorder, and a back disorder, the case was returned to the
Board.  The Board notes that the RO has complied with the Board's
instruction to adjudicate the additional claims, referred to
above, which were raised by the veteran during the course of this
appeal.  He has not appealed any of the RO's adverse
determinations regarding these claims.  Therefore, we find that
there is no issue on appeal regarding loss of teeth, a left hip
disorder, or pes planus.

In March 1994 the Board again remanded this case for development
regarding an increased rating for PTSD.  By rating decision dated
in August 1994, the RO assigned a total (100 percent) rating for
PTSD, effective from September 1988.  No future examination was
scheduled, and the veteran was found to have basic eligibility
for dependents' educational assistance under Chapter 35, Title
38, United States Code.  The case was returned to the Board in
September 1994 for disposition of the remaining issues.

The veteran is representing himself in this appeal.

CONTENTIONS OF APPELLANT ON APPEAL

The veteran contends that he is entitled to service connection
for hearing loss, which he maintains was caused by inservice
exposure to heavy artillery.

The veteran contends that he is entitled to service connection
for arthritis and a back disorder, which he maintains are due to
his sleeping on the ground during service, or possibly the result
of a bomb blast at Vella Lavella.

The veteran also contends that he is entitled to service
connection for an inguinal hernia, which he maintains is
secondary to his service-connected residuals of removal of a
right ureteral calculus.

The veteran also maintains that he is entitled to service
connection for diabetes, hypertension, and a fungal disorder.

The veteran further maintains that the following claimed
disabilities are secondary to his service-connected PTSD:
hearing loss, arthritis, back disorder, diabetes, and
hypertension.

The veteran argues that he is entitled to a compensable
evaluation for malaria, as he has experienced recurrent symptoms:
shakes, cold sweats and weakness.

He also argues that he is entitled to a compensable evaluation
for residuals of removal of a right ureteral calculus.

DECISION OF THE BOARD

The Board, in accordance with the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A.
§ 7104 (West 1991), has reviewed and considered all of the
evidence and material of record in the veteran's claims file.
Based on its review of the relevant evidence in this matter, and
for the following reasons and bases, it is the decision of the
Board that the veteran has not submitted evidence sufficient to
justify a belief by a fair and impartial individual that his
claims regarding service connection for diabetes and hypertension
are well grounded and, accordingly, that his appeal regarding
those issues is dismissed.  Further, it is the decision of the
Board that new and material evidence to reopen the claim for
service connection for a back disorder has not been received.  It
is also the decision of the Board that the preponderance of the
evidence is against the claims for service connection for
arthritis, a fungal disorder, and an inguinal hernia; and against
compensable ratings for malaria and for residuals of removal of a
right ureteral stone.  However, the evidence supports a grant of
service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

FINDINGS OF FACT

1.  The record contains no documentation of inservice diabetes or
hypertension.  The record contains no supporting evidence linking
the veteran's current diabetes and hypertension to active service,
whether as secondary to a service-connected disability or
otherwise.

2.  A May 1945 rating decision denied service connection for a
back disorder, and the veteran was notified of that decision and
of his appellate rights by a May 1945 letter.

3.  An application for review on appeal was not received within
the subsequent one year period.

4.  The pertinent evidence added to the record subsequent to the
May 1945 rating decision consists of copies of service medical
records, a September 1988 statement of the veteran, copies of VA
records dated in September and October 1989, and the testimony of
the veteran and his wife at his July 1991 personal hearing.

5.  The copies of the service medical records are duplicates; the
September 1988 statement of the veteran is redundant; the
remaining additional evidence is not probative of the question of
whether the veteran has a chronic disorder of the back that is
attributable to service.

6.  The evidence does not demonstrate arthritis that is
attributable to service or causally related to any service-
connected disorder.

7.  Bilateral hearing loss was shown in service.

8.  The evidence does not demonstrate a fungal disorder of service
origin.

9.  The evidence does not show an inguinal hernia that is either
attributable to service or causally related to his service-
connected residuals of removal, right ureteral calculus.

10.  The veteran has had no recurrence of malaria since service,
and the record does not show evidence of moderate disability due
to an old attack.

11.  The veteran has had no recurrence of right ureteral calculi
since service.  The evidence does not demonstrate any current
manifestations of residuals of removal of a right ureteral
calculus.

12.  Neither the veteran's malaria nor his residuals of removal of
right ureteral calculus require frequent periods of inpatient
hospital care, result in marked interference with employment or
otherwise present an exceptional or unusual disability picture.

CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

1.  The VA has no further duty to assist the veteran.  38 U.S.C.A.
§ 5107(a) (West 1991); 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.103(a), 3.159 (1993).

2.  The appellant has not submitted a well grounded claim for
service connection for diabetes and hypertension.  38 U.S.C.A.
§§ 1101, 1110, 1112, 1113, 1131, 5107 (West 1991); 38 C.F.R.
§ 3.303, 3.307, 3.309, 3.310 (1993).

3.  The May 1945 rating decision denying service connection for a
back disorder is final.  Veterans Regulation No. 2(a), pt. II,
par. III; VA Regulation 1008; effective Jan. 25, 1936 to
December 31, 1957.

4.  New and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the
claim of entitlement to service connection for a back disorder.
38 U.S.C.A. §§ 1110, 1131, 5107, 5108 (West 1991); 38 C.F.R.
§§ 3.156(a), 3.303 (1993).

5.  Arthritis was not incurred in or aggravated by military
service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred therein, nor
is it proximately due to or the result of a service-connected
disability.  38 U.S.C.A. §§ 1101, 1110, 1112, 1113, 1131, 5107
(West 1991); 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.303, 3.307, 3.309, 3.310 (1993).

6.  Bilateral hearing loss was incurred in service.  38 U.S.C.A.
§§ 1110, 5107 (West 1991).

7.  A chronic fungal disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by
military service.  38 U.S.C.A. §§ 1110, 1131, 5107 (West 1991);
38 C.F.R. § 3.303 (1993).

8.  An inguinal hernia was not incurred in or aggravated by
military service, or proximately due to or the result of a
service-connected disability.  38 U.S.C.A. §§ 1110, 1131, 5107
(West 1991); 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.303, 3.310 (1993).

9.  The applicable criteria for a compensable disability rating
for malaria have not been met.  38 U.S.C.A. §§ 1155, 5107
(West 1991); 38 C.F.R. § 3.321(b), Part 4, Code 6304 (1993).

10.  The applicable criteria for a compensable disability rating
for residuals of removal of a right ureteral calculus have not
been met.  38 U.S.C.A. §§ 1155, 5107 (West 1991); 38 C.F.R.
§ 3.321(b), Part 4, Codes 7509, 7510 (1993).

REASONS AND BASES FOR FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS

For reasons discussed below, the Board finds that the veteran's
claims regarding service connection for diabetes and hypertension
are not well grounded.  Otherwise, the Board finds that the
veteran's remaining claims are well grounded within the meaning of
38 U.S.C.A. § 5107(a) (West 1991).  That is, we find that he has
presented claims which are not implausible.

The Board notes that the claims folder is devoid of any medical
evidence dated from the time of discharge, in 1945, to 1989.  On
the report of the veteran's September 1989 VA examination, and at
his July 1991 hearing, the veteran indicated that he had not
received medical attention from the time of discharge from service
until May 1989.  There do not appear to be available any other
records which would be of assistance in adjudicating his claim.
The Board is thus satisfied that all relevant facts have been
properly developed, and that no further assistance to the veteran
is required to comply with the duty to assist mandated by 38
U.S.C.A. § 5107(a) (West 1991) and 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.103(a) and 3.159
(1993).

The veteran was previously denied service connection for a back
disorder by a May 1945 rating decision.  He was promptly notified
of that determination and did not appeal it.  Thus, it became
final.  Veterans Regulation No. 2(a), pt. II, par. III; VA
Regulation 1008; effective Jan. 25, 1936 to December 31, 1957.
The issue now before the Board is whether new and material
evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of
entitlement to service connection for a back disorder.
38 U.S.C.A. § 5108 (West 1991); 38 C.F.R. § 3.156(a) (1993).

The veteran has also appealed the denial of service connection
for hearing loss, arthritis, a fungal disorder, and inguinal
hernia, and increased ratings for malaria and residuals of
removal of a right ureteral calculus.

Service connection may be established for a disability incurred
in or aggravated by active service.  38 U.S.C.A. §§ 1110, 1131
(West 1991).  Regulations also provide that service connection
may be granted for a disease diagnosed after discharge, when all
of the evidence, including that pertinent to service, establishes
that the disease was incurred in service.  38 C.F.R. § 3.303(d)
(1993).

For the showing of chronic disease in service there is required a
combination of manifestations sufficient to identify the disease
entity, and sufficient observation to establish chronicity, at
the time, as distinguished from merely isolated findings or a
diagnosis including the word "chronic."  Continuity of
symptomatology is required only where the condition noted during
service is not, in fact, shown to be chronic or where the
diagnosis of chronicity may be legitimately questioned.  When the
fact of chronicity in service is not adequately supported, then a
showing of continuity after discharge is required to support the
claim.  38 C.F.R. § 3.303(b) (1993).

In addition, certain chronic diseases, such as sensorineural
hearing loss or arthritis, when manifest to a degree of 10 percent
or more within one year after the veteran's military service
ended, may be presumed to have been incurred in service.
38 U.S.C.A. §§ 1101, 1110, 1112(a) (West 1991); 38 C.F.R.
§§ 3.307, 3.309(a) (1993).   The presumption may be rebutted by
affirmative evidence to the contrary.  38 U.S.C.A. § 1113 (West
1991); 38 C.F.R. § 3.307(d) (1993).

Disability which is proximately due to or the result of a service-
connected disease or injury shall be service connected.  38 C.F.R.
§ 3.310 (1993).

I.  Well Groundedness

A person who submits a claim for VA benefits shall have the
burden of submitting evidence sufficient to justify a belief by a
fair and impartial individual that the claim is well grounded.
38 U.S.C.A. § 5107(a) (West 1991).  A well grounded claim is one
that is plausible,  Murphy v. Derwinski, 1 Vet.App. 78 (1990).

Although the record contains evidence, dated in 1989, that the
veteran currently has diabetes and hypertension, there is no
documentation of either of those disorders during service, nor is
there any supporting evidence linking either disorder to active
service.  See Montgomery v. Brown, 4 Vet.App. 343 (1993).  We
recognize the veteran's assertion that his service-connected PTSD
caused, among other things, hypertension and diabetes, but the
record contains no clinical evidence to support that assertion.
A well grounded claim requires submission of supporting evidence,
rather than mere assertions.  See Tirpak v. Derwinski, 2 Vet.App.
609 (1992).  Moreover, the record does not indicate that the
veteran has any medical expertise.  See Grottveit v. Brown,
5 Vet.App. 91 (1993); Espiritu v. Derwinski, 2 Vet.App. 492
(1992).  In light of the foregoing, we find that there are no
plausible claims for service connection for diabetes and
hypertension.  The VA has no duty to assist the veteran with
regard to these two issues as he has not submitted claims that
are well grounded.  The appeal concerning those two issues is
dismissed.

II.  New and Material Evidence

As noted before, the veteran was denied service connection for a
back disorder in an unappealed May 1945 rating decision.  The
pertinent evidence on file at that time included the veteran's
service medical records, which indicate various inservice
complaints of back pains, which did not result in any findings of
a chronic back disorder.  A May 1945 service department
certificate indicates that the veteran was discharged from service
due to a psychoneurosis, manifested in part by back pain.  Also on
file was the veteran's May 1945 application for compensation,
wherein he indicated that a bomb exploded near him, resulting in
severe backaches.

Following is the evidence submitted since the May 1945 decision.

Various copies of the veteran's service medical records have been
submitted.  All of those copies are duplicates of records on file
at the time of the May 1945 decision and, as such, are not
considered new.

A September 1988 statement of the veteran indicates that his back
problem resulted from being hit by a "500 # bomb -- 'Vella
Lavella.'"  This is essentially a restatement of the contentions
in his May 1945 application for compensation, which was on file at
the time of the May 1945 decision.  Therefore, it cannot be
considered new.

Two VA medical reports, dated in September and October 1989, were
also added.  The September 1989 report contains a finding of
moderate to marked degenerative changes of the lower lumbar spine.
This finding is not probative as it merely suggests the presence
of arthritis over 40 years after service, and does not otherwise
attribute a chronic back disorder, including degenerative changes
involving the back, to service.  Consequently, the September 1989
report is not material.

The October 1989 report, a psychiatric report, indicates that the
veteran was complaining of low back pain.  He related a history of
an inservice injury following the explosion of a bomb near him.
Inasmuch as the report merely restates the substance of the
veteran's claim on his May 1945 application, it is not new.
Inasmuch as it does not attribute a back disorder to active
service, it is not material.

The only other pertinent evidence submitted since the May 1945
decision is the testimony of the veteran and his wife at his
July 1991 personal hearing.  The veteran testified that he has
pain in his back that radiates to his legs.  That evidence is not
probative of whether a back disorder is attributable to active
service, and is therefore not material.

The Board acknowledges the veteran's contention that a claimed
back disorder is secondary to PTSD.  However, there is no
clinical evidence to support that contention, and we would
reiterate that the record does not indicate that the veteran has
any medical expertise.  See Grottveit v. Brown, 5 Vet.App. 91
(1993); Espiritu v. Derwinski, 2 Vet.App. 492 (1992).  We
recognize that service medical records indicate that the veteran
had a psychoneurosis manifested partly by back pain.  However, no
disability of the back was identified.  This evidence was on file
at the time of the May 1945 rating decision.  Furthermore, the
back pain was characterized as a manifestation of a psychiatric
disorder--there is no medical evidence on file which indicates
that the veteran has a chronic structural or functional back
disorder that is secondary to PTSD, or otherwise attributable to
service.

Inasmuch as new and material evidence has not been received since
the May 1945 rating decision, the previously denied claim for
service connection for a back disorder is not reopened.  38
U.S.C.A. § 5108 (West 1991); 38 C.F.R. § 3.156(a) (1993).

III.  Service Connection

A.  Hearing Loss

The report of the veteran's April 1940 entrance physical
examination is negative for any pertinent defects.  An April 1945
audiogram shows a decibel loss at 3000 Hertz (Hz) of 40 decibels
in the right ear and 60 decibels in the left ear (50 and 70
decibels, respectively, on conversion of the old ASA to the
current ISO standard).  Decibel losses at 4000 Hz of 25 decibels
in the right ear and 55 decibels in the left ear (30 and 60
decibels, respectively, under the ISO standard) were also noted.
An examination dated in April 1945 indicates that the veteran had
tinnitus, caused by exposure to loud gunfire in the Pacific
Theatre in 1943 and 1944.  In May 1945, service connection was
established for tinnitus.

According to the report of a September 1989 VA examination, the
veteran provided a history of hearing loss and intermittent
tinnitus since military service at Guadalcanal.

The veteran underwent a VA audiological examination in
September 1989.  Audiometric examination of the right ear
revealed that pure tone thresholds at 500, 1000, 2000, 3000 and
4000 Hz were 15, 15, 60, 70, and 75 decibels, respectively, for
an average decibel loss of 55.  Corresponding frequencies in the
left ear were 15, 25, 65, 65 and 65, for an average decibel loss
of 55.  The speech recognition score, for each ear, on the
Maryland CNC Word list, was 76 percent.  The examiner indicated
that the veteran's hearing was abnormal, bilaterally, by VA
standards.

According to September 1989 correspondence of Robert B. Springer,
M.D., the veteran related a history of inservice exposure to
extensive noise, and of having once lost consciousness after a
bomb blast.  Dr. Springer interpreted the aforementioned
September 1989 VA audiological examination as demonstrating
roughly symmetrical descending sensorineural hearing loss in both
ears.  He concluded that the sensorineural hearing loss was
compatible with, but not particularly characteristic of, noise-
induced loss.

At his July 1991 hearing, the veteran testified that he has had
hearing problems since being in the service, in Guadalcanal, and
that he experiences an occasional ringing or buzzing in the ears.
His wife testified that sometimes he hears her; sometimes he does
not.

The report of the veteran's June 1994 VA psychiatric examination
indicates that the veteran was somewhat hard of hearing.

The September 1989 examination, supported by the testimony of the
veteran's wife, clearly indicates that the veteran currently has
hearing loss.  Moreover, the service medical records indicate
exposure to loud noise during service and contain findings of
bilateral hearing loss.  The hearing loss shown in service, as
well as that shown on VA examination of September 1989, is such
that it meets the threshold criteria for consideration of
service-connection.  See 38 C.F.R. § 3.385 (1993).  In view of
the veteran's contentions, and in light of the findings of
hearing loss noted in service and currently shown, the Board
finds that bilateral hearing loss was incurred in service.
Service connection is thus granted.

B.  Arthritis

The report of the veteran's April 1940 entrance physical
examination is negative for any pertinent defects.  Service
medical records reflect complaints of back pain, noted as a
manifestation of a psychoneurotic disorder.  Service medical
records do not show findings of arthritis.  A December 1944 entry
reflects a complaint of aching in the veteran's bones.  A
February 1945 examination specifically found no evidence of
arthritis or other orthopedic disease.

The report of a September 1989 VA examination indicates the
presence of moderate to marked degenerative changes of the lower
lumbar spine.

At the veteran's July 1991 hearing, he testified that he had
arthritic pain at the time of discharge, mostly involving his
back.  He stated that the pain starts in the mid-thoracic region
and goes down the low back, sometimes radiating to the legs.

Although service medical records reflect inservice complaints of
back pain, they do not show arthritis.  Service medical records
contain no findings of arthritis.  Indeed, as discussed
previously, the earliest finding of arthritis is dated in
September 1989, over 40 years after separation.  This is too
remote in time to attribute arthritis to active service,
particularly in the absence of any documented complaints or
findings of arthritis during that time.  There is no evidence
otherwise attributing arthritis to active service, or indicating
that it manifested to a degree of 10 percent within one year
after service.  While the veteran has described the aches and
pain which he reports he had during service and immediately
thereafter as "arthritic" pain, the Board finds that this
description, in and of itself, is of limited probative value in
view of his lack of medical expertise.  The determinative factors
are that arthritis was not clinically found in service and was
first shown many years subsequent thereto.

Accordingly, although we find the veteran's testimony concerning
inservice arthritis to be sincere, we do not find it to be
probative, in the absence of any supporting clinical evidence.
To address the veteran's contention that arthritis was caused by
PTSD, we emphasize, once more, the absence of any supporting
clinical evidence, and note that the record does not indicate
that the veteran has any medical expertise.  Accordingly, service
connection for arthritis is denied.

C.  Fungal Disorder

The report of the veteran's April 1940 entrance physical
examination is negative for any pertinent defects.  A
January 1945 entry in the service medical records notes that
otitis externa may be a residual of a fungus infection which had
improved spontaneously.  A February 1945 report indicates that
examination of the veteran's skin was normal.  March and April
1945 records reflect treatment for an infected toenail.

A July 1989 VA outpatient record indicates that the veteran had a
fungal nail infection.  The veteran provided a history of fungal
infection at the nails since 1942.

In July 1991, the veteran testified that his entire body was
covered with fungus during service, and that he still had
residual scars.  It was indicated at the hearing that he had
greyish rashes on both wrists.

The foregoing evidence is insufficient to establish service
connection for a fungal disorder.  The record contains no
clinical evidence of a chronic fungal disorder, or of any
residual manifestations resulting from a fungus infection.  The
1989 finding of a fungal infection of the nails was over 40 years
after separation from active service.  Again, this is too remote
in time to attribute to active service.  Although we find the
veteran's testimony regarding a fungal disorder to be sincere, we
find it to be of limited probative value, in the absence of any
supporting clinical evidence to show a chronic fungal disorder
originating in service.  Accordingly, service connection for a
fungal disorder is denied.

D.  Inguinal Hernia

The report of the veteran's April 1940 entrance physical
examination is negative for any pertinent defects.  Service
medical records dated in 1944 and 1945 indicate that the veteran
experienced episodes of pain in the right abdomen and flank,
occasionally radiating down to the testicles.  Service medical
records also indicate that in December 1944, following cytoscopy,
the veteran passed a ureteral calculus.  Complaints of continuing
right flank pain were also reported in March 1945.  The diagnosis
was calculus, ureteral (passed).  Service medical records contain
no indication of an inguinal hernia during service.  A February
1945 examination specifically found no hernia of any type.

VA records dated in May and September 1989 indicate that the
veteran had a right inguinal hernia.  None attributes it to
active service or to his service-connected residuals of removal
of right ureteral calculus.

At his July 1991 hearing, the veteran testified that he has had a
bulge in his side for at least 30 years.  He state that he didn't
notice a bulge while in service, although he stated he had right-
sided pain in service.

Although service medical records indicate the presence of right
abdominal and flank pain associated with a ureteral stone in
service, there were no findings of a hernia, inguinal or
otherwise.  Furthermore, there is no post-service evidence before
1989 indicating the presence of an inguinal hernia, and that
evidence does not attribute the hernia to active service.  It is
also noted that there is no clinical evidence or medical opinion
indicating that the veteran's inguinal hernia is proximately due
to or the result of his service-connected residuals of removal of
a ureteral calculus.  See 38 C.F.R. § 3.310 (1993).  We therefore
find that service connection for an inguinal hernia is not
warranted.

IV.  Increased Rating

A.  Malaria

In a May 1945 rating decision, the veteran was service connected
for malaria, and assigned a noncompensable rating, which is
currently in effect.

Service medical records indicate that the veteran experienced
several malaria attacks during service.

The report of the veteran's September 1989 VA examination does not
indicate that the veteran has had any recent recurrence of
malaria, or that he has disability due to an old attack.

A compensable rating is warranted for malaria that is recently
active, with one relapse in the past year; or for old cases of
malaria with moderate disability.  38 C.F.R. Part 4, Code 6304
(1993).  A compensable rating for malaria will not be assigned
based upon the veteran's unsupported claim or statement.  38
C.F.R. Part 4, Code 6304, Note (1) (1993).

Aside from the veteran's own statements, there is no evidence of
recently active malaria, with one relapse in the past year, or of
old cases with moderate disability.  In other words, there is no
evidence to support the veteran's claim of recurrence.  Indeed,
the only current, relevant, clinical evidence on file provides no
indication that the veteran has had any recent recurrence of
malaria, and there is no evidence of disability due to old
attacks.  Therefore, a compensable rating for malaria is denied.

B.  Residuals of Removal of a Right Ureteral Calculus

In a December 1946 rating decision, the veteran was service
connected for residuals of removal of right ureteral calculus, and
assigned a noncompensable rating, which is currently in effect.

Service medical records indicate that the veteran passed a
ureteral calculus in December 1944.  Thereafter, he complained of
episodes of right flank pain on several occasions prior to
discharge.

The report of the veteran's September 1989 VA examination provides
a history of removal of calculus on the right side, with no
recurrence.  According to an accompanying VA urology report, the
veteran complained of occasional right flank pain.  Intermittent
dysuria and hematuria were noted.  Examination revealed a huge
inguinal hernia.  KUB revealed prostatic stones.  The impressions
were right inguinal hernia and history of prostatic stones.

The veteran testified in July 1991 that his kidneys hurt him all
the time.  He indicated that he had pain in his right abdomen.

The veteran was denied a compensable rating for residuals of
calculus under Code 7510, for ureterolithiasis, which is rated as
for hydronephrosis under Code 7509 of the Rating Schedule.  38
C.F.R. Part 4, Code 7510 (1993).  Under Code 7509, a compensable
rating requires mild manifestations, with only an occasional
attack of colic, not infected and not requiring catheter drainage.

The veteran testified that he has had problems with his kidneys
all his life, and the report of his 1989 VA examination indicates
a history of occasional right flank pain.  However, the veteran
also indicated that he had no recurrence of ureteral calculi, and
there is no clinical evidence suggestive of acute abdominal pain.
No specific manifestations attributable to the service-connected
ureteral calculus removal were identified.  Accordingly, a
compensable rating for residuals of removal of right ureteral
calculus is denied.

C.  Extraschedular Considerations

The Board has also considered the applicability of 38 C.F.R.
§ 3.321(b) (1993) in this case.  The clinical findings referable
to malaria and residuals of residuals of removal of right ureteral
calculus have been described above.  There is no evidence of
frequent inpatient hospital care necessitated by, or marked
interference with employment due to, malaria or residuals of
removal of right ureteral calculus.  Thus, an exceptional or
unusual disability picture is not presented, and there is no basis
for an extraschedular rating.

V.  Benefit of the Doubt

We have considered whether the veteran is entitled to the benefit
of the doubt.  Under 38 U.S.C.A. § 5107(b) (West 1991), when there
exists an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence
regarding the merits of an issue, the benefit of the doubt shall
be given to the claimant in resolving that issue.  See also
38 C.F.R. § 3.102 (1993).  In light of the preceding analysis, the
Board finds that a preponderance of the evidence is against a
finding of service connection for arthritis, a fungal disorder,
and inguinal hernia, and compensable ratings for malaria and for
residuals of removal of a right ureteral stone.  Thus, there
exists no approximate balance of positive and negative evidence
requiring resolution of any doubt.

ORDER

Well grounded claims for service connection for diabetes and
hypertension have not been submitted, and those appeals are
therefore dismissed.  New and material evidence has not been
submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service
connection for a back disorder.  Service connection for
arthritis, a fungal disorder, and inguinal hernia, is denied.
Compensable ratings for malaria and residuals of removal of right
ureteral calculus are denied.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

          N. R.  ROBIN    B. KANNEE

          D. C.  SPICKLER

NOTICE OF APPELLATE RIGHTS:  Under 38 U.S.C.A. § 7266 (West
1991), a decision of the Board of Veterans' Appeals granting less
than the complete benefit, or benefits, sought on appeal is
appealable to the United States Court of Veterans Appeals within
120 days from the date of mailing of notice of the decision,
provided that a Notice of Disagreement concerning an issue which
was before the Board was filed with the agency of original
jurisdiction on or after November 18, 1988.  Veterans' Judicial
Review Act, Pub. L. No. 100-687, § 402 (1988).  The date which
appears on the face of this decision constitutes the date of
mailing and the copy of this decision which you have received is
your notice of the action taken on your appeal by the Board of
Veterans' Appeals.