Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting medical examinations.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected as they do not meet the criteria for disability under VA regulations, and there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's dermatitis or eczema was diagnosed after discharge.,There is no current skin disorder related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a new medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claims are inextricably intertwined as the outcome of one may affect the other.

The case is being remanded for further development, including an advisory opinion from a vocational rehabilitation specialist regarding the impact of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his employability. The AOJ should then review the record and readjudicate the claim.

The Veteran's combined schedular disability rating is at least 80%, meeting the criteria for a TDIU. The Board finds that his service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, as they prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of hearing loss or tinnitus for VA purposes and finds that these conditions are not related to service, including noise exposure. Therefore, service connection is denied.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities have resulted in a rating of 90 percent, which is the highest possible under current regulations. The Board has determined that this rating is correct and no higher rating can be granted based on the evidence provided.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU was granted. The appeals seeking service connection for hypertension, a left knee injury, an anxiety disorder, a fractured jaw, a bilateral shoulder disability, a bilateral hand disability, right great toe DJD, and right foot plantar calcaneal spurs were withdrawn by the Veteran. Appeals seeking increased initial ratings for tinnitus and PTSD and an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss remain pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The effective date of the TDIU award is July 28, 1993.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his claim for a higher rating for his left knee disability, are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened, and both conditions are found to be incurred in service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus) rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his military service and/or his service-connected hearing loss disability, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a lumbar spine disorder, a right hip disorder, and a right knee disorder. The Board found no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to his service in Vietnam. His bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are presumed to be due to acoustic trauma during service.

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and multiple physical injuries, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability and tinnitus are related to his service, granting service connection for both conditions.