Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations for recurrent tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and inactive pulmonary tuberculosis with bronchitis is denied as the maximum schedular evaluation of 10 percent for recurrent tinnitus has been assigned.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for appropriate examinations to address his claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a liver disability (including hepatitis C and cirrhosis), and an increased rating for diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted, as the evidence supports a finding that his current tinnitus is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected. The psychiatric, low back, elbow, and knee disorders are not service-connected.

The Board has granted a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD with depressive disorder NOS and alcohol use disorder as of June 17, 2015. The Veteran's symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment due to deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's combined disability rating has been at least 80 percent throughout the pendency of the claim, and he has met the schedular criteria for a TDIU rating. The appeal as to higher ratings for intervertebral disc syndrome and bilateral hearing loss is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such nature and severity as to preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including her back and psychiatric conditions, render her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, diverticular disease, PTSD, COPD with sleep apnea, and coronary artery disease. The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for diverticular disease was not addressed in the most recent Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, a back condition, tinnitus, sinusitis, and headaches.,While the Veteran claimed service connection for tinnitus and headaches, the evidence did not support these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted TDIU benefits.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating for PTSD, service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, and service connection for tinnitus were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for a bilateral hand disability has been withdrawn prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's current tinnitus is found to have had its onset during his active service and is related thereto, thus granting service connection for tinnitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and are not otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, low back disorder, and bilateral foot disorder have been granted. The evidence supports these findings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Director of Compensation found that entitlement to an extraschedular evaluation for TDIU was not warranted.