Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, tinnitus, left ear hearing loss, and headaches. The Veteran's claims are supported by competent lay evidence of continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since June 28, 2014. The Board has granted TDIU effective from that date.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to service, as evidenced by his military occupational specialty and the onset of symptoms shortly after service. Service connection for this condition is granted.,Service connection for right ankle strain is denied because there is no evidence linking it to active duty service.,Service connection for left knee strain is denied due to lack of evidence connecting it to service.,Service connection for lumbosacral degenerative disc disease is denied as the Veteran's current condition does not appear related to his military service.,Service connection for sleep apnea is granted because it is secondary to diabetes mellitus, a service-connected disability.,Service connection for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted as it is secondary to diabetes mellitus, a service-connected disability.,Service connection for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted due to its relationship with the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.,Service connection for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted based on its relation to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,Service connection for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted as it is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus and PTSD, but denied his claim for hypertension. The issues of entitlement to service connection for muscle aches, headaches, and coughing are being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD) rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board granted the TDIU based on this finding.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus is at least as likely as not caused by in-service noise exposure. The issue of bilateral hearing loss remains pending and will be addressed after obtaining additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied service connection for right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is rated at 50% since June 20, 2013. There remains no question of law or fact to decide regarding the effective date claim.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection, while his left knee disability has been granted a compensable rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate this claim.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a left ankle sprain were denied in 1979. He did not file new claims until June 2015, at which point he was granted service connection with effective dates of June 10, 2015.

The Veteran is granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as these conditions are found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status was denied as he is not shown to be bedridden, permanently housebound, in a nursing home, or helpless due to his disabilities.

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 right ankle disability has been rated as 10 percent disabling throughout the appeal period. The evidence does not show a marked limitation of motion, which is required for a higher rating. For TDIU, the Veteran's combined service-connected disability rating was found to be less than 60% and he did not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU based on his education and work experience.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, but his unemployability is due to these disabilities. The Board has remanded the case to determine if an extraschedular TDIU rating is warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to June 10, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the etiology of his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, including whether they are related to in-service exposure to aircraft engine noise or jet fuels.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not render him unable to secure or maintain a substantially gainful occupation, as his previous employment experience was in an environment with 'very little noise,' which does not exacerbate his hearing loss.