Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2015

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

The Veteran requested an increase in the disability rating for prostatitis and filed appeals for service connection of various conditions, including hypertension, PTSD, tinnitus, blistering on the ears, glaucoma and cataracts with lens replacement, boils, emphysema, and tinea pedis. The Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining missing VA treatment records and determining if substitution of the appellant is proper. The claim will be adjudicated in light of any new evidence received.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain clarifying medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a PTSD examination to assess his current symptoms. The hearing loss and tinnitus claims will also require an examination to determine if they are related to service.

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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and lung condition remain pending.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, including noise exposure during basic training. As a result, the claim for service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus was incurred during his first period of active duty service from December 2008 to January 2010.,The Veteran has a current right knee disorder and the evidence is in equipoise as to whether it was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development regarding radiation exposure and noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unemployable due to his PTSD and other disabilities, as he is capable of performing work in a more sedentary capacity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete documentation and need for additional examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's spine disability, headaches, and tinnitus are service-connected. The skin condition claim is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining new VA examinations and opinions for his hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and asbestosis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to June 4, 2013 for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied as there is no correspondence of record received prior to that date that can be construed as a service connection claim.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus. The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to inadequate rationale in the VA examiner's opinion.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the effective date for his grant of service connection for tinnitus is remanded as it must be addressed by the AOJ in a statement of the case before the Board can assume jurisdiction over the matter.

The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent prior to July 27, 2012 for PTSD with depressive disorder NOS and her TDIU claim were both denied as she was not unemployable due to her service-connected disabilities.