Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected back disability and special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance of another person were both denied due to lack of evidence showing he required regular assistance or had incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for tinnitus were denied. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and active service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss with otitis media, right chronic, posttraumatic nonsuppurative was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating prior to June 25, 2008 and no higher than 70 percent thereafter.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are likely due to his active military service. The effective date of this decision is not specified as it was received after April 10, 2003.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the inadequacy of the March 2006 VA examination, which relied on inaccurate facts regarding noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require the regular aid and attendance of another person, leading to a favorable decision for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected due to exposure to combat noise during service. Service connection for diabetes mellitus is granted as well, though it was not incurred in service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection have been denied. The appeal is remanded to the RO.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of recent treatment records.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, including any claimed acoustic trauma. The evidence does not support a finding of chronic hearing loss during service or post-service noise exposure resulting in these conditions.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for lumbago, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and residuals of a right knee injury. The claim for diabetes mellitus, type II, was granted with an effective date of May 31, 2006.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss has been granted, but no specific rating or effective date was assigned.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service acoustic trauma and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed left eye injury and bilateral hearing loss were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a supplemental opinion from the VA physician regarding the Veteran's employability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of continuity of symptoms and the medical evidence does not establish a link between current hearing loss and service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran is found to be unemployable due to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss disability and finds that his right ear hearing loss is not related to service. As such, service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability cannot be granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his bilateral hearing loss.