Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for scheduling a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's tinnitus is not related to his active duty service, as the symptoms began after service. The VA examiner needs to consider a delayed onset of tinnitus in the March 2009 Journal of Clinical Neurology article.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which he claims are due to noise exposure during his military service. The Board finds that a VA examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active duty service, including exposure to noise from diesel engine operation. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for tinnitus due to a full grant of benefits. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss remains on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus and Meniere's disease are remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The left ankle condition, left knee condition and acquired psychiatric disorder secondary to these conditions will also be remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is not related to his military service and denied the claim.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current disability of the bilateral knees. The preponderance of evidence shows no diagnosed knee condition related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, when evaluated in association with his educational attainment and occupational experience, do not preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment prior to February 27, 2014. Since February 27, 2014, the combined effect of his bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical spondylosis, and left arm radiculopathy, when evaluated in association with his educational attainment and occupational experience, preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant, and as such, these claims are granted.

The Board is remanding the claims of entitlement to service connection for left and right hip disorders and a low back disorder due to further development.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU and his service-connected disabilities, particularly PTSD, preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The effective date of the grant of service connection for CAD is being remanded.

The Board finds CUE in the January 2006 rating decision denying service connection for tinnitus. The effective date is set at June 1, 2005. Service connection for tender and painful scars on the right upper extremity is granted. An increased evaluation to 30 percent for migraine headaches is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol dependence is rated at 70 percent disabling as of April 6, 2009. The effective dates for service connection and TDIU are also set to this date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed tinnitus was incurred during his military service, and thus grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Board finds that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to in-service acoustic trauma, and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, as well as an addendum opinion from the December 2011 VA examiner.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected left ankle muscle sprains was denied as the evidence did not show ankylosis of the ankle in plantar flexion at more than 40 degrees or in dorsiflexion at more than 10 degrees. The TDIU claim was also denied due to the Veteran's combined disability rating and his ability to maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus, including as secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss, due to additional development and consideration.