Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2016

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for the denial of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, effective immediately.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for variously diagnosed psychiatric disabilities, low back disability, hypertension and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The case is inextricably intertwined with the reopening of a claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for right ear otitis media is granted, with a separate 10 percent rating assigned for tinnitus as a complication of the service-connected condition. The maximum schedular ratings are in place.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants an initial rating of 70 percent from November 20, 2007 through August 13, 2008 due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran has withdrawn all issues on appeal, including the reopening of a claim for osteoarthritis of the bilateral knees and claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, major joints, and lumbar spine.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the VA examination and opinion are inadequate, and thus remands the case for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records from VA facilities and clarifying the Veteran's treatment history.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal for service connection for a left varicocele. The Board found that he had bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus incurred in service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have had its onset during active service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with the Board finding that both conditions were likely caused by noise exposure during active duty.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, acid reflux, diabetes mellitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a cervical spine disability prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is service-connected, granting his claim for this condition. The tinnitus issue remains pending and will be addressed in a separate remand.

The Veteran's tinnitus is the result of noise exposure during active military service and has been granted service connection. The claim for bilateral hearing loss remains pending as it was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are as likely as not of such nature and severity as to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left hip osteoarthrosis, as well as his bilateral knee disabilities (including medial meniscus tear), and tinnitus are all directly related to service. The Veteran's claims for these conditions have been granted.

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

The Veteran has been granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, both of which are considered direct service connections as there is no evidence of a presumptive basis or secondary to an already service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need to obtain additional records from the Veteran and ensure that all necessary development is completed.