Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the minimum schedular percentage standards for a TDIU rating prior to July 31, 2012.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no current disability of these conditions and that the evidence does not support a nexus to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and determining if the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer residuals and PTSD with depressive disorder NOS, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since August 1, 2010. A TDIU is granted effective as of that date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable as of June 28, 2007. The effective date for the TDIU is set at this point.

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

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for further development.,The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied as they were not raised in his original claims.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is more than likely related to his military noise exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for additional development due to inadequate nexus opinions. The Veteran's use of hearing protection after service is a key factor in determining whether his disabilities are related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus as there was no evidence of in-service onset or a link to active service, including noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology, and the VA examiner found that his current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service.,The Veteran also had claims for a respiratory condition and frostbite residuals status post chilblain which are addressed separately.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in active service, and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus has been granted. The Board found that the Veteran experienced chronic symptoms of tinnitus in service and continuous symptoms after service separation, meeting the criteria for presumptive service connection under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303(b).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between current symptoms and active service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for bilateral tinnitus prior to November 29, 2011 is denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have its onset during service and the Board finds that it is at least as likely as not related to his military service.,For the right third finger fracture, the disability rating of 10 percent is granted. The limitation of motion does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for service connection for tinnitus, and the Board has dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with MDD and adenocarcinoma of the lung, prevent him from securing or following gainful employment. The Board finds that he is entitled to a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to noise exposure during service, and the Board finds that his PTSD is also related to in-service stressors. The right ankle disability has been granted a rating of 10 percent.