Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure proper VCAA notice and compliance, before the claims for service connection can be decided.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus began in service and is related to his active duty noise exposure.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus secondary to Agent Orange exposure remains pending as requested information regarding proximity to herbicides was not obtained.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus did not begin in service and is not related to her in-service noise exposure or any other service-related factor. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board found no medical evidence linking the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus to his active service, including noise exposure. Therefore, service connection for these conditions was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus diagnoses are linked to his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the issues on appeal, including an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the criteria for a TDIU have not been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death, which was cardiopulmonary arrest and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is not related to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU. The Board found that his hearing loss did not warrant a higher rating, as it did not meet the criteria for exceptional patterns of hearing loss. For TDIU, the evidence showed he had retired due to physical reasons related to his heart condition, and his service-connected conditions did not preclude him from securing and maintaining substantial gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disability (to include PTSD) and a new VA examination for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to in-service noise exposure and granted service connection for this condition. The hearing loss disability remains on appeal as it does not have a clear onset during service.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus cause marked interference with his employment as a truck driver beyond that contemplated by the schedular rating criteria, warranting an extraschedular disability rating of 30 percent.,Resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, the Board has granted a 30 percent extraschedular rating for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus since March 24, 2010.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection, and his knee disabilities were denied increased ratings. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a nexus to service. The claim for PTSD was not addressed due to the broadening of the issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are presumed to have been incurred as a result of active service, while his bilateral knee disability is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a Travel Board hearing. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus remains on the merits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, left shoulder condition, and low back condition. The decision found insufficient evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation for these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case is therefore REMANDED for further action.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Board also finds that these conditions are related to his military service, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, along with other disabilities, has rendered her unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment. The abdominal scars have been rated as 10 percent disabling for pain.