Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's tinnitus is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service, and the Board finds that the evidence supports granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were incurred during his active service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and pes planum) have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot proceed with the merits of this case as he is no longer alive.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his in-service noise exposure. The Board also finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's tinnitus was caused by his service-connected TBI, and the Board granted service connection for tinnitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, spastic quadriparesis, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD. The claim for higher rating on his low back disability was granted but with limitations. No specially adapted housing or temporary total evaluation due to treatment were awarded.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for tinnitus, which was granted in a September 2010 rating decision. The case is being remanded due to the need to adjudicate a claim of CUE in a previous rating decision.

The Board finds that the Veteran's lay statements regarding the continuity of symptoms of tinnitus are credible. The evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether tinnitus had its onset during service and has continued since service, thus granting service connection for tinnitus.

Service connection for GERD is granted as secondary to the service-connected duodenal ulcer, effective from March 16, 2007. The Veteran's other claims are denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a new medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected right hip disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The RO has granted the requested increased rating.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and an effective date of May 15, 2011 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's claim for earlier effective dates is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Vocational Rehabilitation and Counseling records. The Veteran's TDIU claim will be referred to the Director of Compensation for an opinion regarding extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis since October 8, 1999 due to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of tinnitus and that there is no credible evidence linking his claimed condition to service, including noise exposure. As such, the claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with the preponderance of evidence supporting these claims. As a result, both conditions have been granted service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling, effective December 14, 2010. The Board granted a TDIU rating from that date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.