Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, urinary incontinence associated with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, hypertensive heart disease, patellar subluxation of both knees, and bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that his service-connected disabilities meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete notice of a previous rating decision and the need for an examination regarding the Veteran's bilateral leg condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have its onset in service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for service-connected hearing loss from September 3, 2013. The Veteran's tinnitus and Meniere's disease were not found to be related to his military service or herbicide exposure. Service connection was also denied for the skin condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and a left leg disability. The claim for tinnitus is granted as there is evidence that suggests current tinnitus had its onset during active service or is otherwise causally related to his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's sinusitis and rhinitis have not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent, as he did not experience incapacitating episodes or significant nasal obstruction.,Tinnitus was not shown to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has dismissed the appeals due to the appellant's withdrawal of these appeals.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II (diabetes), and denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and a low back condition. The decision is based on evidence showing exposure to herbicide agents during service at U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest within one year of separation from service, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to military noise exposure. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding in favor of service connection.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to noise exposure during his service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, specifically bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that the preponderance of evidence was against the claim prior to March 20, 2007.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of medical treatment rendered at non-VA facilities is denied as the care was not rendered in a medical emergency and VA facilities were feasibly available.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities combine to be 90 percent disabling, but they do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not preclude him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment, as he was still employed at a wine company earning either $18,000 or $42,000 in the past year. The combined rating of 60% does not meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to a request for a DRO hearing and need for additional medical records. The Veteran's low back disorder is unclearly related to service, and he needs an examination to determine its etiology.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be the result of in-service acoustic trauma, meeting the criteria for service connection.