Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of a closed head injury, sleep apnea, and ischemic heart disease were granted. The claim for an initial rating higher than 100 percent for ischemic heart disease from January 22, 2007 to April 30, 2007 was also granted. However, the Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU prior to May 29, 2008 were denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that Meniere's disease with hearing loss and tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service, may not be presumed to have been incurred therein nor is it proximately due to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's tinnitus was incurred during her active service and the Board finds that the evidence supports granting service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus did not originate during any period of service and is not otherwise etiologically related to any period of service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was also denied as there was no evidence showing it became manifest within one year after separation from service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a scheduling error for his requested videoconference hearing. The claims will be returned to the Board after the scheduled hearing.

The Board has remanded the case due to unavailability of service treatment records and for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and recurrent tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, peripheral arterial disease of the lower extremities, bilateral tinnitus, hypertension, neuropathy of the lower extremities, and hearing loss, have resulted in the need for regular aid and attendance. The Board has determined that these conditions meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum allowable rating of 10 percent, and his right eye disability does not meet the criteria for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.,VA cataract surgery in October 2006 resulted in an intraocular lens implant that became displaced, but there is no evidence linking this to the Veteran's current right eye symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal for a combined rating in excess of 20 percent for his right knee disability has been withdrawn. The case is being remanded to determine if the Veteran was unemployable due to service-connected disabilities prior to November 2009.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing conditions were aggravated by his military service. The claim for residuals of a left eye injury is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew it before the decision was made.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran was rendered unemployable as of May 21, 2013, solely due to his multiple service-connected disabilities and this has continued unabated since that point in time.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are rated at 80 percent, preventing him from receiving a higher rating. The Board denied his claim for TDIU as he is not shown to be unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes and denied service connection for tinnitus. The claim for basal cell carcinomas of the nose and forehead was reopened but continued to be denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus manifested to a compensable degree within one year of service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including rescheduling VA examinations and obtaining outstanding medical records.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board grants a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.