Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to October 10, 2013 for the award of a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) has been denied as there is no persuasive medical or lay evidence showing he was unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities within one year before the date of his claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not caused by or aggravated by service, nor did they manifest to a compensable degree within one year of service separation. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service. Service connection was also granted for bilateral foot neuropathy and hypertension based on direct evidence of a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and traumatic brain injury have been denied. Service connection has been established for anemia.

The Veteran's CUE claim for Section 1151 benefits for osteoporosis was dismissed due to lack of specific and particularized allegations. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not reopened as the submitted evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these conditions.,The cause of death claim was denied because there is no evidence linking the Veteran's lung cancer with service-connected disabilities or exposure to Agent Orange. The DIC benefits claim was also denied due to lack of total disability rating for at least 10 years prior to death.

The Veteran's low back disability is service-connected, tinnitus and gastrointestinal disability are not service-connected, right wrist disability is service-connected, but left wrist disability is not service-connected.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and providing additional opinions.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability or tinnitus related to service, and thus the claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has ordered additional VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, and DDD of the lumbar spine. The appeal is currently in remand status due to incomplete notification for the previously scheduled VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but is remanding the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to conflicting evidence and need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and needs further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, including exposure to loud noise during combat. Therefore, both conditions have been granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the appeal for additional development due to missing service treatment records from October 2001 to July 2002. The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and cervical spine disability will be reconsidered after obtaining relevant records.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are etiologically related to his service, specifically his exposure to hazardous noise. As a result, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be incurred in service, and the Board finds that there is at least a 50% probability it is related to his military service. The other claims are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities and vocational background have not prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to February 12, 2014.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his time in service, warranting the grant of service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected based on direct evidence of a link between his active service and these conditions. The Veteran is granted service connection for both conditions.