Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's application for Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance (RH) was denied because her service-connected tinnitus did not meet the 'good health' criteria due to her active diagnoses of schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, and cocaine use.

The Veteran's onychomycosis, tinnitus, and bilateral pes planus are found to be related to service-connected conditions or due to aggravation by a service-connected condition. The Veteran is granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted, but the specific details of each grant are not provided in this decision.

The Veteran's tinnitus was not present in service or manifest to a compensable degree within one year of service discharge and is not otherwise related to service.,The Veteran's current low back disorder, including post lumbar laminectomy syndrome and lumbar radiculitis, was not present in service or manifest to a compensable degree within one year of service discharge, and is not otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 50 percent effective March 27, 2015. The issue of tinnitus was granted with an effective date of November 3, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting the grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, most notably PTSD, prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him.

The VA determined that the Veteran's tinnitus did not arise during service or due to any incident therein, and there is no evidence of chronic symptoms within one year post-service separation. The Board finds that the current tinnitus is not related to active military service.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private vocational rehabilitation records, arranging for a VA examination to determine the etiology of obesity, and scheduling a VA Social Industrial Survey to assess the impact of service-connected disabilities on employability.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus did not have onset in active service, nor is either due to injury or disease incurred in active service. Therefore, the appeal for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for further development and consideration of his claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The case will be reviewed to determine if he meets the schedular requirements or if extra-schedular TDIU should be considered.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to medical questions regarding the etiology of his hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's TDIU is granted effective September 18, 2000.

The Veteran's PTSD and TDIU claims are being remanded for further evaluation as the last VA examination was conducted over six years ago.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence was at least in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's current conditions, such as tension headaches and tinnitus, were incurred during his military service.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus originated during his active service and grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are etiologically related to his service, resulting in a grant of service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's current hearing disability is related to in-service acoustic trauma, and his symptoms have persisted since separation from service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his in-service noise exposure, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.