The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's right ankle fracture residuals are currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that an increased rating is not warranted prior to October 8, 2014 or in excess of 10 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's cold injury to the left foot is currently rated at 20 percent and the Board finds that an increased rating is not warranted as there are no symptoms such as tissue loss, nail abnormalities, color changes, locally impaired sensation, hyperhidrosis, or X-ray abnormalities (osteoporosis, subarticular punched out lesions, or osteoarthritis).,The Veteran's cold injury to the right foot is currently rated at 20 percent and the Board finds that an increased rating is not warranted as there are no symptoms such as tissue loss, nail abnormalities, color changes, locally impaired sensation, hyperhidrosis, or X-ray abnormalities (osteoporosis, subarticular punched out lesions, or osteoarthritis).,The earliest date of entitlement for service connection for PTSD is July 25, 2015.,The earliest date of entitlement for service connection for tinnitus is April 21, 2014.,The earliest date of entitlement for residuals of a left foot cold injury is April 21, 2014.,The earliest date of entitlement for residuals of a right foot cold injury is April 21, 2014.,The earliest date of entitlement for residuals of a right ankle fracture is October 1, 2008.

The deciding factor: There is no evidence of bilateral hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulation. The Veteran's puretone thresholds do not meet the regulatory definition of a disability.,The Veteran’s right ankle disability does not manifest with ankylosis, malunion, astragalectomy, marked limited motion, or the functional equivalent thereof.,The Veteran's cold injury to the left foot is manifested by numbness and nail loss but no arthralgia, pain, tissue loss, color changes, hyperhidrosis, or X-ray abnormalities (osteoporosis, subarticular punched out lesions, or osteoarthritis).,The Veteran's cold injury to the right foot is manifested by numbness and nail loss but no arthralgia, pain, tissue loss, color changes, hyperhidrosis, or X-ray abnormalities (osteoporosis, subarticular punched out lesions, or osteoarthritis).,PTSD manifests with occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.,The earliest date of entitlement for service connection is based on the date of receipt of a claim or the date that benefits would have been payable had the claim been received as of the date it was actually received.,The earliest date of entitlement for tinnitus is based on the date of receipt of a claim or the date that benefits would have been payable had the claim been received as of the date it was actually received.,The earliest date of entitlement for residuals of a left foot cold injury is based on the date of receipt of a claim or the date that benefits would have been payable had the claim been received as of the date it was actually received.,The earliest date of entitlement for residuals of a right foot cold injury is based on the date of receipt of a claim or the date that benefits would have been payable had the claim been received as of the date it was actually received.

Claimed conditions

Bilateral Hearing Loss, Right Ankle Fracture Residuals, Left Foot Cold Injury Residuals, Right Foot Cold Injury Residuals, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

June 11, 2019

Citation

19144988