Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability appeal is withdrawn. The lumbar spine disability claim was denied as there was no in-service incurrence or chronicity of symptoms, and arthritis did not manifest within one year of service separation.

The Veteran's initial noncompensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's initial increased rating for bilateral hearing loss from noncompensable to 20 percent effective October 5, 2012 was granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, including exposure to noise during his period of active duty. As a result, the appeal for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral otitis media have been evaluated based on the applicable rating criteria. The claims for increased ratings are denied as the current evaluations under the schedular criteria adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus is as likely as not attributable to his active military service. The issue of bilateral hearing loss remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, but the issues of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus remain unresolved. The decision is mixed as some aspects are granted while others are denied.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for his service-connected left ear hearing loss was denied, but he was granted service connection for tinnitus.

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.