Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by his military service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during service or within one year thereafter. The VA examiner found no nexus between current hearing loss and tinnitus and active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not attributable to service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or other causative factors.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that he is entitled to TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus and dermatitis of the face, groin, stomach, and mid-section are found to be related to service. The right ankle disability is not currently diagnosed or linked to service.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be due to service, with the Board granting service connection for both conditions.

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

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding new and material evidence. The Board then determined that there is at least an equipoise of evidence to support a finding that these conditions were incurred in service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently evaluated at the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent.,Service connection for headaches has been granted as they are permanently aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for left knee, right knee, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes to warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran is granted SMC on the basis of need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's PTSD warrants a 70% rating throughout the appeal period, effective June 6, 2012. Prior to December 15, 2015, the Veteran was not precluded from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and neck disability are service-connected, with no issues related to a clothing allowance or fee dispute.

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

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are related to acoustic trauma incurred during active service, and the Board has granted service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for an effective date prior to August 19, 2008 for service connection and a higher initial disability rating for tinnitus. As such, the Board dismisses these issues.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities are severe enough to warrant Category I status for self-employment, but the evidence does not show that all traditional employment goals other than self-employment are unsuitable due to his disabilities. Therefore, the appeal is denied.

TDIU granted for the period prior to June 15, 2009.,TDIU granted for the period starting October 1, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to September 25, 2012 prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and evidence regarding his employment status.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.