Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling, effective prior to September 29, 2015. He also has a TDIU with an effective date of September 29, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are so severe that they preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for a total combined disability rating prior to January 9, 2007, and TDIU is denied as he was employed by the VA Regional Office in Houston, Texas until February 11, 2008.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus likely began during his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of his Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a VA opinion regarding the etiology of his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as to consider all evidence of record. The Veteran served in the Navy from 1957 to 1960.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including scheduling a VA audiological examination and obtaining outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his period of service, including based on recurrent symptoms first noted in service. The Veteran also meets the criteria for a rating of 60 percent for residuals of right and left knee replacements.,The Veteran experiences chronic residuals of bilateral knee replacements consisting of severe painful motion or weakness.

The evidence does not establish that the Veteran's gastrointestinal disability, variously diagnosed as GERD, hiatal hernia, and diverticulitis, is related to his active service. The Board finds no in-service disease or injury for this claim.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.,Service connection is established for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied, while his claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, with the onset occurring during a training exercise in March 1967. Service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have manifested during service and is presumed to be related to in-service noise exposure. Service connection for this condition is granted.,Service-connected bilateral plantar fibromatosis is rated at 30 percent, effective from April 9, 2014.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, but his right ear hearing loss is not. The decision also grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed, including obtaining VA treatment records from Port Charlotte Community-Based Outpatient Clinic and the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus will be remanded to allow for further consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus did not originate during service, was not shown to be related to in-service noise exposure, and is not otherwise related to his period of active duty. The claim for PTSD will be remanded as it involves a new DSM-5 diagnostic criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, as they are related to his in-service noise exposure. The claims for basal cell carcinoma and brain tumor have been remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to in-service noise exposure. The hearing loss issue remains pending and will be addressed at a future date.