Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as VA treatment records. The issues of service connection for these conditions will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Veteran's tinnitus was incurred in active service and the Board finds that it is related to his military noise exposure. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, while conceded as being due to in-service acoustic trauma, does not have a direct link to service based on the evidence provided.

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, post traumatic osteoarthritis of the right shoulder with loss of range of motion, tinnitus, and bilateral high frequency hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for a hearing to be conducted at the RO before a member of the Board or via videoconference.

The Board has remanded the case due to misfiled documents and outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a new VA spine examination and issuance of a supplemental statement of the case regarding tinnitus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claim of service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI), including hearing loss, tinnitus, headaches, and dizziness. The weight of the evidence does not show any diagnosed residuals of a TBI.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), restless leg syndrome, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The reasons are provided in the decision.

The Board has remanded the issues of tinnitus and cervical spine disability for additional development, including obtaining relevant in-service clinical records. The Veteran's appeal is now pending again with the Board.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his pulmonary condition and multiple musculoskeletal issues, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since September 17, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for increased SMC based on need for higher level of aid and attendance is denied as he does not meet the criteria for receiving SMC at the maximum rate under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1114(o).

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was withdrawn. The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it was caused by in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been assigned the maximum available ratings.,For DJD of the right foot, a 10 percent rating has been granted prior to December 17, 2014, with an increased 20 percent rating thereafter. For DJD of the left foot, a 10 percent rating has been granted prior to December 17, 2014, with an increased 20 percent rating thereafter.,The Veteran's Dupuytren's disease of the right hand and left hand have each received a non-compensable initial rating. The Veteran's DJD of the left hand has received a 10 percent initial rating.,Restless leg syndrome is rated as moderate impairment, but no higher.,Right inguinal hernia is small and reducible; it does not require surgery to treat.,The scars from cyst removal have been assigned non-compensable ratings. The scar of the right wrist has a linear length of 1.1 cm., while the scar of the neck measures 0.8 cm. by 0.2 cm.,There is no evidence of a ganglion cyst of the right wrist or a right elbow disability due to disease or injury in service.,The Veteran's recurrent benign cysts and plantar warts have been rated as non-compensable from July 1, 2010.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to acoustic trauma incurred during active service and the Board finds that service connection for tinnitus has been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected due to noise exposure during service. However, his upper respiratory disability was not incurred or aggravated by service and is more likely related to smoking.

The Board found that the reduction in rating for bilateral hearing loss from 20 percent to 10 percent was not proper due to a lack of improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions. The appeal is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, including exposure to noise from vehicles, artillery, and hunting. As a result, both conditions have been granted service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment for the entire appeal period.