Hearing loss Board decisions

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with depressive disorder NOS is not rated higher than 30 percent, and the initial ratings for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities are granted at 20 percent. The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to February 6, 2017 was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss from February 6, 2017 to September 27, 2017 was also denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA disability evaluation guidelines.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and hearing loss prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and other conditions do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, as his mental health issues are manageable in a solitary work environment.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, shrapnel wounds, and hearing loss are found to be so disabling that they prevent him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment. The TDIU is granted as of August 27, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder is currently rated as 70 percent disabling, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not warrant an initial compensable rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be at least as likely as not related to his military service, and therefore service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no direct nexus to service, and the evidence did not support a finding of in-service noise exposure or chronicity of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is not rated higher than non-compensable, as his puretone thresholds and speech recognition scores do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The decision found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim for a back disability. For the other conditions, the Board determined there was no in-service injury or disease related to these disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, bilateral foot disability (plantar fasciitis), high cholesterol, hernia, basal cell cancer, purpura of the distal forearms, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and unspecified depressive disorder. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer, PTSD, diabetes, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unable to work since June 1, 2011. The Board has ordered additional development to determine the combined impact of these conditions on his employability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, PTSD with major depressive disorder, type 2 diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unemployable as of January 19, 2012. The Board granted the claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective from that date.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for gastroesophageal reflux disease, bilateral hearing loss, left wrist strain, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling him for VA examinations to assess his bilateral hearing loss and bilateral chronic plantar keratosis.

The Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of current disability in the left ear. For tinnitus, there is no evidence of a nexus between active service and the condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability. The issue of tinnitus is withdrawn by the Veteran, and the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA audiological examination to determine the nature and etiology of his bilateral hearing loss, and a VA neurological examination to assess the severity of his service-connected left ulnar nerve palsy status post transposition.