Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and review of his service-connected disabilities.

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

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated at 50 percent, and he meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU. The Board has granted a TDIU as his service-connected disabilities preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to verify periods of service, obtain pertinent medical records, and provide a VA audiological examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his mood disorder and multiple spine and nerve conditions, have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment since September 14, 2010. A total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute substantially to his death due to COPD, prostate cancer, and chronic kidney disease. The examiner concluded that these conditions were less likely related to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disorder did not manifest in service or within one year of discharge and is unrelated to service. Therefore, service connection for a back disorder is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions based on an inaccurate factual predicate regarding noise exposure and asbestos exposure.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various conditions, including arthritis of the hands and feet, a left elbow disability, residuals of a broken right wrist, a left foot fallen arch, a blind right eye, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and depression, all for purposes of accrued benefits.

The Board is remanding the Veteran's claims for a bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and an increased rating for duodenal ulcer with GERD due to incomplete development of evidence.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Veteran's recurrent tinnitus was first manifested during active service and has persisted since, thus the Board finds that service connection for tinnitus is warranted.

The Veteran's myalgia/myositis and tinnitus have been found to be related to service, meeting the criteria for direct service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity are rated at their maximum schedular ratings, with tinnitus receiving a separate initial rating. The hearing loss claim is not addressed in this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active duty service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's special separation benefits were properly recouped from his VA disability compensation, as the law requires. The appeal is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and recurrent tinnitus are not related to his active service, as there is no evidence of a chronic disability during or within one year after service. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to failure to comply with prior remand directives. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated after a new or amended VA examination is conducted.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, as further development is needed to assess the combined effects of all service-connected disabilities on employment.

The Veteran's service connection claim for recurrent tinnitus was granted. The decision on the hearing loss issue is pending as it has been remanded.