Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2017

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issue of service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and lumbar strain, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition. The issue of bilateral hearing loss remains pending as it was not addressed by the March 2012 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete development and need for additional examinations. The claims will be reconsidered after all necessary steps are taken.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be etiologically related to acoustic trauma sustained in active service.

The Board has determined that there is no probative evidence linking the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus to his military service, including noise exposure. As a result, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30% prior to March 21, 2011 and increased to 50% from March 21, 2011 to October 15, 2012. From October 16, 2012, the Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70%. The TDIU claim is granted effective September 1, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU prior to June 11, 2015. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence was against a finding that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran was unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his in-service noise exposure. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria.

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

The Board has found clear and unmistakable error in the September 1957 rating decision, establishing an effective date of June 9, 1956 for the grant of service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no current disability related to service. The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus for VA purposes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including an addendum opinion regarding his hearing loss and tinnitus. His claim for PTSD with major depressive and dysthymic disorder remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD and hiatal hernia as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected duodenal ulcer. The remaining issues are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied right ear hearing loss.

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

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has aggravated his tinnitus, and the Board grants service connection for tinnitus on a secondary basis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have tinnitus or bilateral hearing loss that was incurred in service, and therefore, denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his employment throughout the relevant appeal period is considered substantial.