Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's PTSD and alcohol dependence symptoms have caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, including difficulty concentrating, hypervigilance, depressed mood, anxiety, chronic sleep impairment, mild memory loss, disturbances in motivation and mood, and impairment of relationships. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and alcohol dependence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and right ear hearing loss are service-connected. The decision is based on a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus with retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, tinnitus, coronary heart disease, bilateral hearing loss, and erectile dysfunction, are rated at a combined 80 percent. The Board finds that these conditions render the Veteran unemployable due to their severity and his limited education and work experience.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected and he is currently rated at 70 percent for his PTSD. The appeal for a higher rating remains before the Board.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his bilateral hammertoes, back disorder, bilateral foot disorder other than hammertoes, tinnitus, gastrointestinal disorder, fatigue, sleep disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The appeal will be returned to the AOJ after these issues have been addressed.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that his symptoms began during service and continue to this day. The hearing loss claim was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with symptoms beginning during or shortly after service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for nerve damage to the cervical spine, a herniated muscle in left medial leg, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a bilateral shoulder disorder. The Veteran was granted a 60 percent rating for right knee degenerative joint disease with residuals of partial knee replacement.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability, as the most recent audiometric testing did not show impairment meeting VA compensation criteria. For the claim involving joint stiffness in the ankles, hips, and elbows, there was insufficient evidence to establish that it is related to service or Gulf War exposure.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the inadequate nature of the February 2010 VA examination, which did not address the threshold shifts in hearing from service. The Court also found that the August 2015 testimony regarding tinnitus was not adequately addressed by the Board.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to inadequate development of his claim for a total disability rating by reason of individual unemployability (TDIU). The AOJ must ensure that the Veteran undergoes an adequate VA examination and obtain an opinion regarding whether his service-connected disabilities, including his psychiatric disorder, hearing loss, tinnitus, epicondylitis of the right elbow, and low back disability, preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate examination report and needs to obtain a new VA audiological examination to determine if the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is secondary to his service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran was granted a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service connected disorders from June 2, 2009 to March 6, 2013. The issue of entitlement to this benefit for any periods prior to June 2, 2009 remains on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are at least as likely as not due to service, while malaria and asbestosis have no current evidence of a disability. The claim for malaria is denied, and the claim for asbestosis is also denied.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,A 30 percent evaluation, but no higher, for GERD beginning April 4, 2012, is granted. TDIU prior to January 2, 2013, is denied.

The Veteran's eye disability is not related to his active duty service, but he has tinnitus that is related to his military service.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability may be due to noise exposure during service and postservice work history.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active military service, with no presumption or secondary connection established.

The Veteran's tinnitus and right knee disability have been rated based on their severity, but the right knee has not met the criteria for a higher rating since October 10, 2014. The left shoulder and head trauma disabilities are also rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, with the latter being secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.