Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2017

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

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, ischemic heart disease (diagnosed as coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation), PTSD, peripheral vascular disease due to service-connected diabetes mellitus Type II, and diabetic nephropathy due to service-connected diabetes mellitus Type II. The Veteran's vision problems are not considered a disability for which service connection may be granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen these previously denied claims. The Board also found that there is no evidence of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are related to his military service, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for PTSD, right knee disability, and tinnitus. The claim to reopen service connection for a right hand disability was also denied. No new rating decision has been issued since these decisions.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and denied the claim for service connection for cause of death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and lung disorder are not supported by competent evidence linking these conditions to service. The preponderance of the evidence is against the Veteran's claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, meeting the criteria for direct service connection. The cold injury of the bilateral feet was not established as incurred in service.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum opinion from the audiologist regarding whether the Veteran's tinnitus is related to service and if it is aggravated by his service-connected hearing loss.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100% disabling effective July 26, 2010. As a result of this rating, he is eligible for special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) due to having additional service-connected disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent or more (housebound rate). The Veteran's TDIU claim is moot as his PTSD alone meets the criteria for a total disability rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus began during service and has continued since, granting service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected as secondary to his service-connected TMJ disease. The Board finds that the Veteran's diabetes requires use of insulin or an oral hypoglycemic agent and a restricted diet, but he has not been prescribed or advised to avoid strenuous occupational and recreational activities due to diabetes.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran also requested a videoconference hearing at the RO to discuss his PTSD claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to incomplete records and inadequate examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that his current tinnitus is related to his active military service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate medical opinion addressing the Veteran's lay statements regarding noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities combine to a 90 percent disability rating, rendering him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are service-connected, with no specific rating assigned or effective date provided.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request in a letter dated April 2017.

The Veteran's left foot tarsal tunnel syndrome is related to an injury he incurred in service, and the Board finds that service connection for this condition should be granted.