Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bursitis of the left shoulder, cervical spine arthritis (rated at 10% prior to September 14, 2004, and at 20% therefrom), tinnitus, post-traumatic stress disorder, and bilateral hearing loss, do not render him unemployable.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and need for clarification of tinnitus as a symptom of service-connected hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the combined rating criteria for a TDIU, allowing him to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is causally related to noise exposure during his active duty service and grants the claim of service connection for tinnitus. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability, right shoulder disability, and tinnitus are related to his military service. The evidence supports a finding of in-service injury or exposure for each condition.

The Veteran is found to be unemployable due to service-connected disabilities for the period from July 15, 2008 to December 17, 2008.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, as there is no evidence of a chronic disease in service or continuous symptoms after service. The VA examiner stated that the Veteran's hearing was normal during his period of service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, and tinnitus, have rendered him unemployable for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability or tinnitus for VA purposes, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are likely due to noise exposure during his military service, including in Vietnam. As such, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression), bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and a neck disability have all been denied. The VA examiner found no evidence of current ischemic heart disease or any other claimed conditions related to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, and he was granted a higher disability rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions and records in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have had its onset in service, and the Board finds that service connection for tinnitus is granted. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, remains pending.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be incurred during his active duty service. The Board has also determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and bilateral hearing loss disability are related to his military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active duty service. The VA examiner opined that the disabilities were less likely as not caused by or a result of loud noise exposure while in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric condition (including PTSD and depression) have been denied as there is no competent evidence of a current disability or persistent symptoms related to these conditions.

The Veteran's petitions to reopen previously denied service connection claims for a skin disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted. The effective date of the award of service connection for PTSD is set at August 26, 2008.