Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that it is factually ascertainable that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from retaining substantially gainful employment for a period of one year prior to his February 12, 2008 claim. Therefore, an effective date of August 20, 2007, but no earlier, has been granted for the award of TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected as they meet the criteria for a disability for VA compensation purposes, with the onset of both conditions occurring during his active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left shoulder disability, intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative disc disease L5-S1, urinary frequency, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and tinnitus, do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that he is capable of full-time employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, diabetes, and tinnitus, resulted in functional impairment sufficient to preclude gainful employment from July 29, 2011. The Board found that the Veteran met the schedular criteria for a TDIU at this time.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including providing a VA psychiatric examination and issuing an SOC regarding educational assistance benefits. The appellant's claims of service connection for various conditions are not currently in appellate status.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus did not have its onset in service or due to any disease or injury incurred in service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development due to inconsistencies in the audiometric data and the need for additional opinions regarding the etiology of his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are etiologically related to his military service, thus granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's atrial fibrillation is rated at 60 percent, effective June 8, 2012. The Board found that the symptoms of the service-connected atrial fibrillation meet the schedular criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been reopened and granted.,Service connection is granted for kidney cancer, presumed to be due to exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, with the former being granted an initial compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, right toe condition, and bilateral hearing loss are related to his military service. The Board has also found that there is no evidence of a current right toe disability.

The Veteran's other specified and stressor-related disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and benign prostatic hyperplasia with lower urinary tract symptoms are related to his military service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the etiology of his claimed disabilities, specifically bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and COPD with chronic bronchitis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a continuity of symptoms dating back to service or a presumptive period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus grants service connection for both conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus and headache disability, but denied his claim of entitlement to service connection for a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and hypertension. The decision is based on the lack of credible evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied as there is no current diagnosis of jungle rot. The Veteran's claim for service connection for jungle rot was also denied due to lack of a current disability.