Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during active military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as the reopening of a claim for service connection for DJD of both knees. The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent from January 22, 2004, until November 17, 2008, and then at 70 percent thereafter. His diabetes mellitus was rated at 20 percent prior to May 6, 2015, and 40 percent thereafter. The Veteran's diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the extremities were all rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU rating for the entire period of claim due to service-connected bilateral tinnitus and panic disorder with agoraphobia. The Veteran's bilateral eye disability, claimed as blurred vision, ghost images, and light sensitivity, is not eligible for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 because it was not caused by VA care.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss of the left ear but granted service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's hearing impairment is not presumed due to noise exposure, and there is no evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's combined disability evaluation of 60 percent due to service-connected PTSD and tinnitus does not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU, as his disabilities do not render him unemployable. The Board finds that the evidence does not support his contention that he is unable to work.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability. The Veteran is also granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus, with the condition being secondary to his service-connected left foot disability.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for diabetes mellitus, bilateral foot neuropathy, left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and right ear hearing loss as they were withdrawn by the Veteran during his October 2017 Travel Board hearing.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's neck and right ear tinnitus claims, including VA examinations to determine the etiology of her disabilities. The low back disability issue remains pending.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to have originated during his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for residuals of a right ankle injury, tinnitus, and bilateral knee disorders is granted. However, the appeals for left ankle injury and bilateral knee conditions are denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be due to noise exposure during active service.,PTSD is not currently diagnosed, but the Veteran contends it was incurred in service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal with respect to all issues pending before the Board, including those related to traumatic brain injury, PTSD, low back strain, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee, scars of the scalp and face, tinnitus, left ear hearing loss, post-traumatic headaches, and residuals of a left elbow contusion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, otitis media, right ear, tinnitus, an eye condition, and residuals of a head injury. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus based on continuity of symptoms since service. The Veteran's current diagnoses are considered to meet the criteria for presumptive service connection under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303(b).

The Board has determined that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military noise exposure. Therefore, service connection for both conditions is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was incurred in service and aggravated by his military duties. The Board finds that the evidence supports a grant of service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service onset or causation for any of the claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's complete service personnel records and any outstanding VA treatment records. The case will be remanded for these actions.