Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus disabilities make him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and denied increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. The appellant's failure to appear for VA examinations prevented a determination on these claims.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence does not support a finding of in-service onset or causation. The reduction of the disability rating for coronary artery disease from 60 percent to 30 percent is also remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been rated at 10% since January 17, 2012. The Board found that the current ratings are appropriate as there is no evidence of exceptional or unusual circumstances rendering impractical application of the regular schedular standards.

The Veteran is unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities, which include degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome, tinnitus, right hip disability, left hip disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, bilateral hearing loss, allergic rhinitis, left sciatic radiculopathy, reactive airway disease, a right knee baker's cyst, irritable bowel syndrome, hemorrhoids, left inguinal herniorrhaphy, and chronic maxillary sinusitis. The Veteran meets the schedular requirements for eligibility to individual unemployability.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to in-service noise exposure. Service connection for a low back disorder was denied as there is no medical evidence of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The Veteran was found not to have current left ear hearing loss for VA purposes, and his employment as a service technician was considered in determining that he could secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Veteran is entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities as of June 10, 2014.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral tinnitus is causally related to noise exposure and acoustic trauma during her military service, granting her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's effective date for SMC benefits based on housebound criteria is denied because the earliest possible effective date is May 1, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since December 7, 2009. The Board granted the claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective from this date.

The Board has remanded the cases of hearing loss and tinnitus for further development as there is insufficient evidence to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the claim for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to unclear dates of active duty training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty training (INACDUTRA). The appellant's service connection claims for hearing loss and tinnitus remain denied.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for osteopenia, cervical spine disorder, hearing loss, tinnitus, hepatitis C, left upper extremity radiculopathy and peripheral neuropathy as secondary to lumbar spine disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy and peripheral neuropathy as secondary to lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy and peripheral neuropathy as secondary to lumbar spine disability, and right lower extremity radiculopathy and peripheral neuropathy as secondary to lumbar spine disability. The Board also remanded the issue of a rating for service-connected lumbar contusion, myositis, and lumbar spondylosis in excess of 20 percent prior to May 17, 2012 and in excess of 40 percent from May 17, 2012.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were granted service connection as they are related to his military service. The Veteran's PTSD was also granted, but with a 30% initial evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for painful joints, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus was denied as the evidence did not show a current disability that began during or was related to active service.,Service records showed no complaints of joint pain or hearing issues. The Veteran reported having back pain but no abnormalities were found in her STRs.

The Veteran's initial ratings for service-connected tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been granted, but the rating for tinnitus is at its maximum. The claim for an increased rating for tinnitus has been denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable schedular criteria. The claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to concerns about the adequacy of the November 2017 VA audiology examination.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus. The decision is based on the Veteran's competent and credible statements regarding his experiences with these conditions during and after service.