Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2017

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant has withdrawn it.

The Board denied higher initial ratings for the Veteran's lumbar spine and right knee disabilities, but awarded separate 10 percent ratings for mild incomplete paralysis of the left and right sciatic nerve associated with the lumbar spine disability.

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

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 80 percent, which meets the criteria for a TDIU. However, the evidence does not support a finding that his service-connected disabilities render him incapable of securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the left shoulder condition secondary to right shoulder bursitis and degenerative joint disease has been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeal regarding the increased disability rating for lumbar spine arthritis has been withdrawn.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for tinnitus, which is now granted.,Service connection for tinnitus is established as it is at least as likely as not related to active duty service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work. The case will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are related to his active service, including exposure to acoustic trauma during his military service in Vietnam.

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that no new and material evidence had been received.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to in-service acoustic trauma, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected as they did not manifest during active duty or due to in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's prostate cancer is not service-connected as there is no evidence of herbicide agent exposure, and his urinary disorder is not service-connected as it is not linked to the service-connected prostate cancer.,The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, prostate cancer, and a urinary disorder are all denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU on either a schedular or extraschedular basis, as his combined rating is less than 70% and he does not have one disability rated at least 60%. The Veteran's inability to work is attributed to nonservice-connected hydrocephalus.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection, with a rating of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with onset during active duty. Therefore, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or caused by his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no current disability meeting VA criteria for a hearing loss disability. The claim for tinnitus was granted as the evidence supported a continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, resulting in a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, but his peripheral vertigo is not. The Veteran will need to undergo a new examination for his dizziness.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not etiologically related to his active service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during or immediately after service. The Board also noted that the Veteran did not seek treatment for these issues during service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy of both lower extremities, have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance. The Board grants SMC based on this need.

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