Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and maintaining gainful employment since December 21, 2007.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, but his bilateral knee disorder is not. The claim for a bilateral knee disorder is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran is competent to report experiencing ringing in his ears since service. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is found to contribute to his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, which are causally linked to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities for the period from April 15, 2007, to March 30, 2010.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus. The case will be remanded for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not incurred during his active service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional service treatment records and Reserves medical records. A supplemental opinion will be obtained to determine if tinnitus is related to service, including periods of active duty training (ADT) or inactive duty training (IADT).

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and PTSD. The remaining issues require additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an appropriate VA examination.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted. The remaining issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II; peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities; Meniere's disease; and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded.

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

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are as likely as not the result of noise exposure during his military service, and therefore service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional audiological testing and further development of his claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and hemorrhoids) have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to August 25, 2008.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims of service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss. The claim for a neck disability and bilateral ankle disability is not supported by the evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied. His claim for service connection for a low back disability has been reopened, but not decided on the merits. The Veteran's scar of the right shoulder is rated at 10 percent, as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. His claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder and knee disabilities have not been addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's Meniere's disease, which includes bilateral hearing loss, vertigo attacks more than once a week, and tinnitus, has been granted a 100 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including asbestosis with pleural plaques, did not render him unemployable prior to October 11, 2010. From October 11, 2010 through February 6, 2013, the criteria for a TDIU were met due to his service-connected asbestosis with pleural plaques.