Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for a VA audiological examination to determine if his current hearing disability is related to his active duty service, including noise exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for helpless child benefits on behalf of his son due to a lack of evidence showing permanent incapacity for self-support before the age of 18.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the Veteran's in-service noise exposure is causally related to his current condition. The issue of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for hearing loss and that there was no current disability for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting bilateral hearing loss was aggravated by active service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service in the Minnesota Air National Guard, and therefore grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, finding that it is likely due to noise exposure during and after service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the appellant's employability solely based on his service-connected disabilities. The RO must obtain a medical opinion assessing whether he is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating since November 1, 2002.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain was granted a rating of 20 percent prior to August 26, 2004 and increased to 40 percent from that date. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and hemorrhoids were also granted an increase in their ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss warrants a 30 percent rating from July 27, 2006 to March 5, 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.