Hearing loss decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss disability did not begin during, or was otherwise caused by, his active duty service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been evaluated as noncompensable (0 percent) since May 24, 2007. The VA audiometric examinations have consistently shown no more than level II hearing in the right ear and level I hearing in the left ear.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss had been manifested by no worse than level I hearing acuity in the right ear and level IV hearing acuity in the left ear, resulting in a noncompensable rating. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the impact of his service-connected conditions on his ability to work and considering new evidence indicating he may be unemployable due to his hearing loss and depression.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or any changes in hearing thresholds during service. The VA examiners concluded that the current hearing loss and tinnitus are more likely due to civilian occupational and recreational noise exposure.

The Veteran's hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted.

The Board found no evidence of a hearing loss disability in service or for many years thereafter, and concluded that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as noncompensable (0 percent) under the rating criteria, with a puretone threshold average of up to 45 decibels in both ears and speech discrimination scores ranging from 72% to 84%. The Board found that these findings did not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer, status-post prostatectomy resulted in a voiding dysfunction causing him to void 5 or more times per night. The disability is currently rated at 40 percent and has not met the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional examinations and evidence, including VA treatment records.

The Board has denied service connection for right ear hearing loss due to a preexisting condition that was not aggravated during active service. Service connection for left ear hearing loss is also denied as there is no current disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his active military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy and hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.,Service connection was denied for right ear hearing loss.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during active service and is related to his in-service noise exposure. However, there is insufficient evidence to establish a link between the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulations and his tinnitus did not manifest in service or within one year of separation from service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew all claims currently on appeal.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's current hearing loss is found to be related to his military service, specifically noise exposure during training exercises. As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss and lumbar spine degenerative joint disease was denied as there is no evidence of current disability in either condition.

The Veteran has withdrawn his claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss.