Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, which include headaches, scarring from a motor vehicle accident, and other conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has determined that he meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his combined disability rating of 80 percent.

The Veteran seeks a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities and the medication he must take for pain related to those conditions. The Board finds that a VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of his service-connected disorders and their impact on employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes and his tinnitus did not begin during service or is otherwise related to service. Therefore, the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, with current evidence in equipoise. Service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is at least as likely as not related to service, while his bilateral hearing loss is less likely than not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to his active duty military service, granting these claims.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his claims for service connection of residuals of a left knee replacement, right knee replacement, left shoulder replacement, and hypertension. The appeals in regard to PTSD evaluation, GERD rating, and TDIU are still pending.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to conflicting medical evidence regarding his ability to work, and a new VA examination is needed to determine if he can secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an audiologic examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to his active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on all issues related to his claimed conditions has been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeals.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are directly related to his period of active service, with symptoms dating back to his time in Vietnam. As such, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, with exposure to noise during military duties. As such, these conditions have been granted service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus do not render him unemployable due to their impact on his employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus due to additional development being required.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no competent evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated during active service, nor could they be presumed to have been so incurred. The evidence did not support a finding of nexus between current hearing loss and tinnitus and service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from Social Security Administration and National Guard, conducting a VA audiology examination, and scheduling a psychiatric examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD are on appeal.

The Board has granted the appellant's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to his active duty service.