Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, but there is insufficient evidence to establish a connection between his vertigo/dizziness and service.

The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, that cannot be dissociated from his active service. Therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant, financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment therefor, as well as service connection for skin cancer (other than on the face).

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and gastrointestinal disorder, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence did not show a continuity of symptomatology since service discharge.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and a sleep disorder due to lack of evidence showing current disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service, including any noise exposure therein. As such, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the etiology of his claimed bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral hip disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral tinnitus, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, but granted service connection for tinnitus based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus was caused by acoustic trauma during active military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss disabilities are currently rated at the maximum allowed under VA regulations, and no higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of any current hearing loss or tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to determine if they have been chronically worsened by his service-connected septal deviation.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to have contributed substantially or materially to his death from acute myocardial infarction. Service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Bartter's Syndrome, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a low back disability, and PTSD. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been received to reopen the claim for Bartter's Syndrome.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, specifically exposure to noise trauma from firing M1 rifles in tunnels during service. As such, service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to asbestos and silica during service, as well as conducting VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his diagnosed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU until February 18, 1998. The effective date of TDIU is therefore set at this date.