Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure of the RO to promptly notify him that his request for postponement of a scheduled videoconference hearing had not been granted. The Veteran will be given an opportunity to appear at the originally scheduled hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional VA and private treatment records, as well as any pertinent SSA disability benefits records. A supplemental opinion from the social worker who conducted the April 2015 VA Social and Industrial Survey will also be obtained.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service. The claim for tinnitus was granted as it is presumed due to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran meets the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected PTSD, which is rated at 70 percent disabling. His other service-connected conditions do not meet or approximate the percentage requirements for TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected due to noise exposure in service. However, his migraine headaches pre-existed service and were not aggravated by service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there was no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service. The VA examiner opined that the disabilities were more likely due to civilian noise exposure.

The Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulation and the evidence does not support service connection for tinnitus. The Board finds that the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred in service and may not be presumed to have been so incurred. The VA examiner found no evidence of hearing loss or significant shifts in hearing that would support a noise injury attributable to military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for tinnitus has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 80 percent, but the evidence does not show that his service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are related to his active service. Service connection is granted for all three conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have been incurred during active duty service, and the claim for this condition is granted. The hearing loss disability issue remains pending as it does not involve service connection.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, specifically noise exposure. As such, these claims have been granted.

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

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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is not part of the current appeal.,For the period prior to May 17, 2011, the Veteran's chronic lumbar strain was rated as 10% disabling. The Board finds that this rating is appropriate based on the evidence.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to clarify the Veteran's service records and obtain additional medical opinions regarding his tinnitus and knee disorders. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus, which may be related to service. The Veteran will need a new VA examination to address these issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a Travel Board hearing. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are still under consideration.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to assess the Veteran's employability due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and prostate cancer.