Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service connection claims for a lung disability resulting from asbestos exposure, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been reopened. The claim for a lung disability is granted as new and material evidence has been submitted. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. Service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran does not have a current bilateral ear disorder, claimed as bilateral ear infections.,There is no evidence of a right knee injury or disease incurred in service. The current right knee strain is considered to be unrelated to service.

The Veteran's diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, and the Board finds that he is entitled to service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied, but his appeal for service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated in service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during service or within one year following service separation. The Veteran did not report any symptoms related to these conditions until many years after service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including adjustment disorder with depressed mood, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, right ankle sprain residuals, left foot fracture residuals, tinnitus, and gastroesophageal reflux disease, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU on a schedular basis.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and found that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to his in-service noise exposure. The claims for higher ratings for left ankle disability, left ankle scar, and right foot disability are being remanded.

The Board has determined that new evidence received since the September 1996 rating decision is sufficient to reopen service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's current diagnoses of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to in-service noise exposure, specifically during periods of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) and Inactive Duty for Training (INACDUTRA).

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding an increased rating for PTSD, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his period of active service, specifically due to exposure to hazardous noise levels. As such, the criteria for service connection have been met.

The Board has determined that further medical examination is needed to clarify the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus claims, as the current audiograms are unclear.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for an additional VA examination to determine the effect of his service-connected disabilities on his employability. The examiner must consider the Veteran's complaints of constant pain and occurrences of immobility due to his bilateral leg disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active military service, including exposure to acoustic trauma. Therefore, these conditions have been granted service connection.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which he claims are related to in-service noise exposure. The Board has determined that further medical guidance is required to determine the nature and etiology of his hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is related to service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The hearing loss and tinnitus are not found to be related to service.

The Veteran has withdrawn their appeals for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and tinnitus. As such, the Board dismisses these issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The Board found that the evidence was at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus were caused by his service, including exposure to loud noise from artillery during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus did not have onset during active service, was not otherwise etiologically related to active service, and denied his claim for service connection. The issue of bilateral hearing loss is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to May 28, 2012.