Hearing loss decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are associated with his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, as there was no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus at his separation examination. The current conditions are more likely due to occupational noise exposure and/or the natural aging process.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including knee disabilities, foot disability, hearing loss, and eye disability. The decision also noted that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for his right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and left eye disability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability. The case has been remanded to obtain confirmation of all periods of service in the U.S. Naval Reserve, including ACDUTRA, and outstanding service treatment records from his Reserve service. Additionally, a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's hearing loss is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a video conference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran requested withdrawal of his appeal for the issues of entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss and entitlement to a compensable initial rating for left ear hearing loss. As a result, these issues are dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer with erectile dysfunction and special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ, effective from November 17, 2008. The earlier effective date is granted as the report of contact in November 2008 can be construed as an informal claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are related to his active service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 30 percent since December 2006. The April 2011 VA examination showed moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss in both ears, but the July 2011 otolaryngology consult concluded that the itching is not related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to March 26, 1997 and found that the reduction in disability evaluation from 90 percent to 20 percent was proper.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not have onset in service or within one year of service, and were not caused by or otherwise related to his active military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral eye disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. However, it denied these claims on their merits.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current disability is at least as likely as not related to his in-service experiences.

The Veteran's initial noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been upheld as his most severe hearing acuity did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for dizziness and remanded the claim of entitlement to a higher initial rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran was accorded a VA medical examination in October 2012, but further development is still required regarding the hearing loss claim.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his active duty service. However, there is no evidence linking the Veteran's tinnitus to his period of service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for an additional medical examination if necessary. The claim will be readjudicated based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left hand has been reopened and granted. The Board finds that there is sufficient evidence to establish a current disability, as indicated by medical records showing carpal tunnel syndrome. The Board also found that the Veteran's current condition is related to his period of service.