Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his service-connected traumatic brain injury and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise related to active duty. As a result, the claim of service connection for tinnitus was denied.

The Veteran's bilateral wrist, knee, and ankle disabilities were incurred in service. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability was caused by service. Tinnitus was also found to be incurred in service. Service connection for lumbar spondylosis and left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and right ear hearing loss are service-connected, but left ear hearing loss is not. The Veteran will be provided with a supplemental statement of the case if his claim for left ear hearing loss remains denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the merits of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining service personnel records, Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits records, and a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his service, specifically noise exposure during active duty. As a result, the claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and found new and material evidence to reopen the claim for a thoracolumbar spine disability. The Veteran's tinnitus is presumed due to noise exposure during service, while his current respiratory conditions are linked to in-service symptoms of shortness of breath.

The Board finds that the Veteran's tinnitus and current bilateral hearing loss are related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between current disabilities and in-service noise exposure.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus and finds that new and material evidence has been received. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a right shoulder disorder other than residuals of shell fragment wound (SFW) injuries to Muscle Groups II and IV, right, and an increased rating for SFW of the right shoulder are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and needs to obtain updated VA treatment records from August 2015, as well as any SSA disability benefit determinations. The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus will be reconsidered based on this new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational background and occupational experience.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disability, acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD), and tinnitus are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and found that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to active service. The issue of an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for updated examinations and additional development of his claims file.

The Veteran's combined rating of 80 percent due to service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and PTSD, precludes him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the evidence supports a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's schizophrenia was found to have manifested during service and is granted as service connected. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a TDIU was denied as there were no pending claims prior to October 1, 2012 and the criteria for a schedular TDIU had not been met.