Hearing loss decisions — 2009

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was initially rated at 20 percent from September 13, 2002 to February 15, 2005 and then reduced to 10 percent thereafter. The appeal is denied as the criteria for a higher rating are not met.

The Veteran died before his claim for service connection for hearing loss could be examined. The Board found that the evidence did not support a nexus between the post-service hearing loss and service, including an alleged explosion during training in March 1960. Therefore, the claim is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes and therefore, service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and colon cancer, both claimed as secondary to herbicide exposure, have been withdrawn. The Board also dismissed the claims of service connection for tinnitus and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, both claimed as secondary to herbicide exposure, due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his request for a prior effective date for service connection was also denied. The VA examination results did not support the need for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to complete the search for VA records and to obtain an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current hearing loss disability is related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected.,The Veteran's injuries, including fractures and head injury with dementia, are due to his own willful misconduct in driving under the influence of alcohol. As such, these disabilities cannot be service-connected.,The Veteran's chest injury is not service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the Appellant.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for a back disability and found that new and material evidence had not been received. The Veteran's hearing loss was also addressed, but as this issue is related to an earlier decision, it will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss, as well as his TDIU claim. The RO/AMC will schedule a VA audiological examination to determine the nature, extent, onset, and etiology of any hearing loss found to be present, and a VA examination in connection with his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's service-connected left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are currently rated at the minimum compensable levels, with no evidence of a higher rating based on current medical findings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and residuals of a fractured right thumb were all granted. The Board found that the Veteran had in-service noise exposure which likely contributed to his current conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, and therefore denied these claims.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the evidence does not support a rating higher than 20 percent beginning January 29, 2003 and 30 percent beginning April 7, 2005.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence is in equipoise and concluding that it was incurred in service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus did not have onset in service or within one year of service, nor were they caused by his active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, his bilateral pes cavus with metatarsalgia and callosities are rated at 20 percent each, and his bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.