Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work experience.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated as 70 percent disabling, but the evidence does not show total social and occupational impairment. The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are inextricably intertwined with his PTSD, so both conditions must be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected tinea versicolor is rated at a noncompensable (0%) level. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus has been granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The claim for a back condition was remanded due to new medical evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to an equipment malfunction during his July 2014 video conference hearing. He will be scheduled for a new hearing.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new evidence supports a causal relationship to active duty. Service connection is now granted.

The Veteran is service connected for multiple disabilities, including an acquired psychiatric disorder and cold injury residuals. The Board finds that these conditions render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, thus granting a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, and he was granted service connection for this condition. The decision on bilateral hearing loss remains pending as it was not addressed in the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, with the exception of his hearing loss which is not considered a disability for VA purposes due to its chronicity. Service connection is granted for tinnitus but denied for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found that the appellant does not have bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes and denied service connection for this condition. The claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus was addressed in a separate issue.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to clarify the authenticity of a January 2007 audio progress note and to obtain an updated medical opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders including PTSD and depression are found to be at least in part caused or aggravated by events in service in Southwest Asia.,Left ear hearing loss is found to have preexisted periods of active duty but underwent an increase in level of disability during active service.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his service-connected anxiety disorder did not cause or materially contribute to his death. The claims for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 and 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 were also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is as likely as not related to service, and therefore grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hearing loss or tinnitus that is attributable to his military service. The VA examinations and other evidence do not support a finding of in-service noise exposure leading to current disabilities.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA examination opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left elbow disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's tinnitus was assigned a 10% rating, and the reduction of his lung cancer from 100% to 0% effective February 1, 2009, to July 29, 2009, was found improper. The 100% evaluation for lung cancer is restored.

The Board has reopened the service connection claim for a pulmonary disorder, including asthma and COPD. A VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to in-service respiratory problems.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to service. The heart condition is not found to be related to service.