Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed tinnitus. The case will be readjudicated after this development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA examinations and clarifying the nature of the Appellant's National Guard service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep disorder, including obstructive sleep apnea as due to an undiagnosed illness is denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have an independent diagnosis of a sleep disorder and his chronic sleep impairment is related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, with all doubts resolved in favor of the Veteran. Therefore, service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Board finds that tinnitus had its onset during active service and has continued to the present day, granting service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining records from his former employer and providing a VA examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between current conditions and in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and Meniere's disease are being remanded due to the need for additional development including scheduling a VA examination while incarcerated.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bladder cancer due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD was denied as there is no evidence of an in-service disease or injury. The Board found that the Veteran meets the percentage rating standards for TDIU due to his combined disability ratings and single disability ratings, which are at least 70 percent. The Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for regular A&A or by reason of being housebound was denied as there is no evidence of permanent bedridden status or inability to leave the house. His claim for SMP based on need for regular A&A or by reason of being housebound was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to his military service, including exposure to loud noises during his time as an infantryman. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD, effective January 7, 2010. The Veteran's PTSD is characterized by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flattened affect, panic attacks more than once per week, difficulty understanding complex commands, and impaired judgment.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the merits has been granted, and he is now receiving a 100 percent evaluation for his heart condition (CAD). His renal insufficiency with hypertension is rated at 60 percent. He also receives SMC based on housebound status due to his CAD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection due to a lack of evidence showing that a claim form was received within one year of his intent to file, which would have made March 31, 2015, the date of claim. The earliest effective date assigned is April 4, 2016.

The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA records and arranging for a medical examination to determine the etiology of tinnitus and the severity of sinusitis with headaches.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation for the period prior to December 9, 2004.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation since May 20, 2011.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as his service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the nature and etiology of her bilateral wrist disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the Veteran's skin and ear disabilities. The issues of service connection for a skin disability and an ear disability remain before the Board.