Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have been incurred in service due to noise exposure during his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's competent and credible lay statements, along with a private doctor's statement, support his allegation of in-service onset and continuity of symptoms since service. Therefore, service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran seeks service connection for tinnitus, which he claims is due to noise exposure during his active duty service. The VA has not provided a medical opinion regarding the etiology of his tinnitus and thus remand is required.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work experience.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including gastroesophageal disability, tension headache disability, osteoarthritis of the thoracic and lumbar spine, bilateral plantar fasciitis with degenerative changes at the first metatarsophalangeal joint, cervical strain with degenerative joint and disc disease, left knee orthopedic disability, left elbow nerve disability, and tinnitus, meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU. The Veteran is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his active service.,There is no evidence of cardiovascular disability in service or otherwise linked to service. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of cardiovascular disability.,The Veteran does not have cold injury residuals to the upper extremities, lower extremities, or psychiatric disability (PTSD and anxiety disorder).,The Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disability did not originate in service and is not otherwise etiologically related to service. The Veteran does not have PTSD.,There is no evidence of stomach disorder in service or a current diagnosis of stomach disorder. The Veteran's IBS is not secondary to service-connected ankylostomiasis.,The Veteran's ankylostomiasis has been inactive and thus not resulting in any current manifestations of symptoms or impairment during the period of the appeal.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain the Veteran's death certificate and medical records, including from his primary care physician. The expert opinion requested will address whether the Veteran's cold injury residuals could have caused or contributed to his cause of death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a video conference Board hearing regarding the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left knee disability (secondary to a left leg fracture and flat feet), and residuals of fracture of the left leg.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, and now seeks clarification on whether he has an inner ear or neurological disorder related to his active duty service. The decision will be based on a determination of whether such condition is at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and right eye condition due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for tinnitus, but not for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to noise exposure during service, including his time in Vietnam. As a result, the claims for service connection for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his in-service noise exposure.,For the entire appeal period, the Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active service and granted service connection for it. The issue of a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to his in-service noise exposure. The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability remains pending and will be remanded for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of an inner head injury with a 10 percent rating effective August 21, 2001. The Veteran's claim is also granted for an earlier effective date.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, which preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, atrial fibrillation, and tinnitus. Service connection is established for these conditions due to presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records and providing updated VA examinations.