Hearing loss decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and thus service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for a hearing to be conducted at the RO before a member of the Board or via videoconference.

The Board has remanded the case due to misfiled documents and outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be reconsidered.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not service-connected, but does find that he had pre-existing left ear hearing loss at entry into service and no significant worsening during service. Therefore, service connection for left ear hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a VA audiological examination. A new examination will be scheduled and an opinion obtained regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment during the period of December 14, 2010 through September 9, 2013.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of the Veteran's periods of service and scheduling VA examinations to determine if any claimed conditions are related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, bilateral knee disorder, and sinusitis. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claim of service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI), including hearing loss, tinnitus, headaches, and dizziness. The weight of the evidence does not show any diagnosed residuals of a TBI.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was not incurred in service, manifested within one year of service, and is otherwise not related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his pulmonary condition and multiple musculoskeletal issues, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since September 17, 2013.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss did not worsen during service and improved, thus it is not attributable to military service.,There is no evidence of right ear hearing loss in service, and current right ear hearing loss is less likely related to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD results in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% disability rating.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, but he is now granted a 10% disability rating since August 25, 2010. The claim for service connection for a thyroid condition due to ionizing radiation exposure has been reopened and is considered on the merits.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was withdrawn. The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it was caused by in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's tinea pedis was found to be incurred in service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition. The issues of bilateral hearing loss and bilateral plantar fasciitis are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been assigned the maximum available ratings.,For DJD of the right foot, a 10 percent rating has been granted prior to December 17, 2014, with an increased 20 percent rating thereafter. For DJD of the left foot, a 10 percent rating has been granted prior to December 17, 2014, with an increased 20 percent rating thereafter.,The Veteran's Dupuytren's disease of the right hand and left hand have each received a non-compensable initial rating. The Veteran's DJD of the left hand has received a 10 percent initial rating.,Restless leg syndrome is rated as moderate impairment, but no higher.,Right inguinal hernia is small and reducible; it does not require surgery to treat.,The scars from cyst removal have been assigned non-compensable ratings. The scar of the right wrist has a linear length of 1.1 cm., while the scar of the neck measures 0.8 cm. by 0.2 cm.,There is no evidence of a ganglion cyst of the right wrist or a right elbow disability due to disease or injury in service.,The Veteran's recurrent benign cysts and plantar warts have been rated as non-compensable from July 1, 2010.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss had its onset in service and the Board finds that he is entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected disabilities and a request for TDIU. The case is being remanded for scheduling a videoconference hearing before the Board.