Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected. The Veteran's diabetes is also granted as secondary to his hepatitis C.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied in 1982, but reopened on October 31, 2007. The Board found no basis to grant an earlier effective date than the reopening of the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to determine if he should be granted a separate rating for dizziness associated with his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as whether Meniere's disease is part of the disability.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure. The decision is pending further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable disability rating for small chip fracture of the left middle finger has been dismissed. The Board also remanded the issue of total disability based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU).

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus as it was not incurred during active service and there is no evidence of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU prior to January 28, 2015. The evidence does not reflect some factor that takes his case 'outside the norm' of any other veteran rated at the same level.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded because the current service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU. The Board has referred the case to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD were withdrawn. Service connection was granted for tinnitus, but the Veteran is not entitled to a compensable evaluation for his depressive disorder due to lack of evidence on aggravation. The Veteran is also granted TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are due to exposure to acoustic trauma during active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cholesteatoma, right knee disability, left hip disability, left ankle disability, and low back disability all claimed as secondary to a service-connected left knee disability.

The Board is requesting additional VA and private treatment records to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status. The issues of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus are also pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, DM II, peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral hearing loss, render him unemployable. The Board has granted TDIU based on the severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for hemorrhoids and a psychiatric disorder. The remaining issues of service connection have been remanded due to incomplete development.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's in-service noise exposure likely caused his current condition and resolving all doubts in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for hemorrhoids and GERD have been dismissed. The appeal for tinnitus has been partially granted with a 10% rating prior to February 27, 2018, but denied thereafter. Appeals for wrist disabilities, knee disabilities, ankle disabilities, and cervical spine disability are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the addition of new evidence. The AOJ is instructed to review this evidence, issue a supplemental statement of the case if necessary, and contact the Veteran to determine his preference regarding a Board hearing.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is not related to service and did not manifest within one year of separation from service.,The Veteran's cervical spine or neck disability is not related to service and did not manifest within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been shown to preclude substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities on a schedular basis since March 11, 2008. The appeal for TDIU from February 28, 2008, to March 11, 2008, will be forwarded to the Director of Compensation and Pension Services for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's request to reopen his service connection claim for tinnitus is dismissed. His claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is reopened and granted.