Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus began in service and persisted, granting service connection for tinnitus. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to insufficient evidence addressing its etiology.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, low back disorder, left eye disorder and nose/sinus disorder have been granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD, is denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder and concluded that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to his in-service stressors.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to in-service noise exposure. The decision is based on evidence of continuity of symptomatology from service through present time.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular percentage requirements for TDIU and also demonstrate that he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected conditions, warranting a grant of TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to October 6, 2011 for service connection of tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are denied as there is no evidence of a formal or informal claim filed before this date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted, and his claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD was denied.,For the issue of service connection for tinnitus, the Board found sufficient basis from the Veteran's competent lay testimony to establish that he has a current disability (tinnitus) that is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have originated during active service and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The issue of bilateral hearing loss remains pending as it was remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to his military service, with no significant threshold shifts during service. The evidence supports a finding of in-service noise exposure and current hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for various issues including service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and a dental condition as secondary to diabetes mellitus. The claim for reopening of the knee disability was also denied.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical degenerative disc disease, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been withdrawn. The claim of an increased disability rating for right anterior leg tibialis muscle hernia has also been withdrawn.

The Veteran's current tinnitus is at least as likely as not related to his service, and the Board grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including COPD and back disorders, have rendered her unable to maintain substantially gainful employment consistent with her education and occupational background.

The Veteran's tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction are all found to have their onset in service. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.,Service connection is also granted for the Veteran's right and left knee disorders as secondary to his service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus meet the schedular requirements for TDIU due to their combined effect on his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD and her major depressive disorder is not service-connected.,Bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and scars (bilateral knee) are not service-connected.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in slight impairment of social and occupational functioning prior to November 19, 2011. From November 19, 2011 to May 20, 2015, the disability was manifested by chronic sleep disturbance, anxiety, and irritability which most nearly approximated occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks. Since May 21, 2015, the PTSD has not resulted in total occupational and social impairment due to gross impairment in thought processes or communication; persistent delusions or hallucinations; grossly inappropriate behavior; persistent danger of hurting self or others; intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living; disorientation to time or place; or memory loss for names of close relatives, own occupation or own name. The Veteran has a current bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus that are consistent with in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the VA examination and the need for additional development, including obtaining her personnel records.