Hearing loss decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected skin disability manifested by multiple warts was denied. The Board found that the condition did not meet the criteria for any higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes and denied his claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Board also noted that tinnitus did not become manifest to a degree of 10 percent or more within one year of service separation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for otitis media and bilateral hearing loss prior to April 10, 2013, were denied. The Board found that the current disability ratings adequately compensate the Veteran for his symptoms.

The Board has dismissed the issues regarding loss of toenail and fingernail, as well as the issue to reopen service connection for stress fractures. The remaining claims have been denied.

The Board denied service connection for right and left ear hearing loss, finding that the evidence did not clearly and unmistakably show a pre-existing condition in either ear.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, or tinnitus that manifested during service or to a compensable degree within one year thereafter. Therefore, his claims for these conditions are denied.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities was denied as there is no evidence that he was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment solely because of his service-connected disabilities prior to September 27, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and service connection for bilateral hearing loss, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, and PTSD were denied. The Veteran was granted a 30 percent rating for his PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable initial rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that the VA audiometric examinations did not support findings warranting more than the assigned noncompensable evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding service treatment records and a VA examination.

The Board denied entitlement to an extraschedular rating for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the available schedular evaluations adequately considered the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated at 20% from December 16, 2014. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted for any period of time.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his inability to attend the scheduled video conference hearing. His request for a different location was not accommodated, and he did not appear for his hearing.

The Veteran's non-compensable service-connected disabilities did not interfere with his employability prior to February 10, 2010. For the period beginning on February 10, 2010, there is no legal entitlement to a 10 percent disability evaluation as he is in receipt of a compensable rating for tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hammertoes was granted with an effective date of April 11, 2010. His PTSD remains at a maximum evaluation of 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes and finds that tinnitus is service connected. The case is being remanded to address whether the left ear hearing loss at entry into service was aggravated by service.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral knee disability and reopened the claims of right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss. The Veteran's current bilateral knee disability is etiologically related to his period of active service.