Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2017

The Board found that the appellant's character of discharge for his period from March 1960 to September 1963 was dishonorable, and thus he is not entitled to VA benefits based on this service. The remaining claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence showing these conditions were incurred during active duty training.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed and the case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for various disabilities, including a lumbar spine disorder, bilateral foot disorders, shoulder disorders, hand and finger disorders, and tinnitus, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of continuity of symptomatology or a nexus to active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service connection for hearing loss disability and tinnitus is considered, as he was discharged from service due to a service-connected condition. As the Veteran served during a period of war, basic eligibility for pension benefits is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at a 50 percent disability rating, tinnitus at 10 percent, and bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The Board granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

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 disability and tinnitus. It is likely that his current bilateral hearing loss disability is attributable to in-service noise exposure, and it is also likely that his tinnitus is related to noise exposure in service or to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus did not have a direct link to his service, including noise exposure as an armor crewman. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that his current tinnitus is related to any incident in service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding in-service noise exposure and treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes and peripheral neuropathy, render him unable to obtain and retain employment, even sedentary employment. TDIU is granted on an extraschedular basis.

The Board found no evidence of a sinusitis disability during service and concluded that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service.,There was no hearing loss diagnosed in service, and the VA examiner opined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is less likely than not caused by or a result of an event in military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is capable of performing sedentary work.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot disability, including hammertoes and pes planus, is related to his active service.,The Veteran's current tinnitus is also related to his active service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case will be returned to the RO for further consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of current diagnoses or a link between any claimed conditions and active military service.,No new effective date has been granted as no earlier effective date claim was filed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are shown to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis effective December 9, 2015.

The Veteran's tinnitus began during active duty and has continued to the present. The Veteran's current back disability, variously diagnosed as degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, and spondylolysis, is related to service.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and residuals of shrapnel wounds to the right shoulder and buttock due to in-service noise exposure and combat injuries. The Veteran's claims are supported by his personal accounts, medical records, and statements from fellow servicemen.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (rated 60 percent combined, and individually as follows: 60 percent for bilateral hearing loss; and 10 percent for tinnitus) preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment. Therefore, a TDIU rating is granted.