Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an opinion on whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is secondary to his service-connected tinnitus and for any updated treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus) rendered him unable to follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to January 24, 2012. An extra-schedular evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus have rendered him unemployable, as the Board finds that his condition significantly impairs his employability in most occupational environments.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule VA examinations for his hearing loss, tinnitus, respiratory disorder, and skin disorder claims.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU prior to October 6, 2014 was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection. The disability rating for PTSD has not yet been addressed, as the issue is inextricably intertwined with other issues on appeal.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to service due to noise exposure, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled Board videoconference hearing. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active duty service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, including in-service acoustic trauma. Therefore, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The case is being remanded for additional development to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical spine condition, and right shoulder condition. The VA examiners are asked to consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding his in-service noise exposure and motor vehicle accident.

The Veteran's bilateral knee and foot disabilities are not service-connected as they did not manifest during or within one year of his military service. The current diagnoses do not meet the criteria for a chronic disability.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, nor is there evidence to support a presumption of service connection.

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

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted with an effective date of June 10, 2008. The Veteran meets the criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities and inability to work.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his service, specifically his exposure to acoustic trauma during his active duty for training (ACDUTRA) as a water treatment specialist. As such, the claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded for further development as the VA examiner did not consider the Veteran's testimony regarding his noise exposure in service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus, specifically considering his service treatment records.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to service, while the peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is not. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be etiologically related to his service, and the claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is addressed in a separate REMAND portion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service acoustic trauma, and thus service connection is granted for both conditions.