Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not meet the criteria for SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since December 1, 2011. The Board finds that the symptoms of near-continuous panic or depression and neglect of personal appearance and hygiene more nearly approximate a 70 percent rating.,The Veteran is service-connected for multiple disabilities including PTSD, bilateral plantar fasciitis, degenerative joint disease of both knees, undiagnosed illness, left thumb fracture, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, left heel bone spurs, residuals from a left great toe fracture, and costochondritis. The Board finds that these conditions preclude the Veteran from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, tinnitus, and a left knee disability, preclude him from securing or maintaining gainful employment. As such, the criteria for a TDIU have been met.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are directly related to his military service due to exposure to loud noises.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of current disability related to acoustic trauma during active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to a TDIU.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper left and right extremities, osteoarthritis of the left and right knees. The Veteran is also found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his military service, as he reported experiencing ringing in his ear while on active duty due to loud noise exposure and has experienced persistent symptoms since separation from service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied as the evidence did not show that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran is now service-connected for additional disabilities, including peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, cataracts, and hypertension. These conditions have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since December 8, 2016.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as they are not related to his in-service noise exposure. The VA contract examiner concluded that the right ear hearing loss is unrelated to service, while the left ear hearing loss had its onset multiple years after service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his active military service. The Board found that the Veteran did not have hearing loss during service or within one year after separation from service, and thus could not establish service connection on a presumptive basis.

The Board has dismissed all issues on appeal due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected as they did not manifest during or within one year after his military service, and there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service. The cervical spine disorder was also not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus have not been found to warrant a compensable rating, but service connection for both conditions has been granted. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic tinnitus did not manifest during service or within one year of discharge, and is unrelated to any noise exposure during active duty service. The claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone have not rendered him unemployable, and the preponderance of evidence does not support a TDIU.

The Veteran's tinnitus and brain disability were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with noise exposure being a significant factor.