Hearing loss Board decisions

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The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was withdrawn.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.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim and determined that there is sufficient evidence to grant service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran was granted a 20 percent rating for his bilateral hearing loss effective January 7, 2013. The effective date of the 30 percent rating for his hearing loss is September 21, 2015.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, including exposure to noise from vehicles, artillery, and hunting. As a result, both conditions have been granted service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Board also found that the Veteran's current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss is etiologically related to his in-service noise exposure, thus granting the claim.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to November 21, 2011, and in excess of 10 percent from November 21, 2011 and February 5, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have caused him to be unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the appellant's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, with the decision favoring the appellant.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss warrants a 30 percent evaluation on and from October 7, 2015. Prior to this date, the disability was rated at 10 percent.