Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Board found that the evidence submitted since the June 2006 rating decision is not new and material, and thus denied the reopening of the claim for service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's cholangiocarcinoma is found to have been incurred in service, while tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are not shown to be related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's claims for psychiatric disorder, residuals of a head injury, tinnitus, right eye disability, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability are not etiologically related to his active duty service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not related to service, with the majority of medical opinions concluding that any such conditions are due to temporary factors rather than noise exposure. The Veteran's claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, render him unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment since December 26, 2012.,While the Veteran's symptoms from his service-connected disabilities limit his ability to work, they are adequately contemplated by the relevant rating schedule for service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and inguinal hernia render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, including exposure to acoustic trauma while working on an aircraft carrier. As a result, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to March 31, 2009. The VA Under Secretary for Benefits or the Director of the Compensation and Pension Service determined that he was not entitled to a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and private medical records, scheduling VA examinations to address his claimed psychiatric and orthopedic disabilities, and readjudication of the claims.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected due to acoustic trauma in Vietnam. The Board finds the evidence does not support a higher rating for PTSD, as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic muscular strain low back, depressive disorder, degenerative disease of the right ankle, Osgood-Schlatter's disease of the left knee, tinnitus, arthritis of the right knee, and right ear hearing loss, preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes and his tinnitus is not related to service. Therefore, service connection for both conditions is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA audiology examination to determine the etiology of his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claims for increased ratings and the propriety of the combined disability evaluation are also being remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for a skin condition, increased evaluations for PTSD, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, and tinnitus, as well as TDIU. The case is dismissed.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and TMJ are all found to be related to his military service.,Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran was found unemployable from August 29, 2011 to September 30, 2015 due to the combined effects of his service-connected PTSD and sleep apnea. His combined disability rating for these conditions is 80 percent.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have manifested within one year of separation from active service and has been chronic since then, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, resolving doubt in his favor. The gastrointestinal disorder is not currently before the Board for adjudication.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a PTSD personal assault stressor letter and another VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorders and hearing loss/tinnitus.