Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2012

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issue of a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are related to his noise exposure during active duty, resulting in a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis is related to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder. The Board has also found that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to active military service.

The Board found no evidence of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, thus denying service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the appellant's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case is being remanded for a clarifying medical opinion from an examiner regarding the nature and etiology of any hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, with all reasonable doubt resolved in his favor.

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but not to the extent that it meets the criteria for a 100 percent rating. The Veteran is therefore entitled to a 50 percent disability rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a hearing disability as defined by VA regulations during active service or within one year after separation. The examiner opined that it is less likely than not that noise exposure in service contributed to current hearing loss and/or tinnitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a complete copy of the October 2010 audiometric examination and scheduling an examination to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are likely related to his military service, including exposure to loud noise during his time as a gun crew member on a Navy destroyer. As such, these conditions have been granted service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to care for his daily needs without requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of a current disability during service. The VA examinations concluded that his hearing loss was more likely due to presbycusis (age-related hearing loss), and his tinnitus was not related to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including providing proper duty-to-assist notice and obtaining VA examinations for PTSD and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete service treatment records and inadequate VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his active military service, including noise exposure from weapons and farming activities.

The Veteran's claim for a special home adaptation grant is denied as he does not meet the eligibility criteria due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, and no jurisdiction remains for further action.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by military service, as there was no evidence of a significant increase in hearing loss during service. The VA examiner opined that the current hearing loss is more likely due to aging and post-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining medical records. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are being evaluated to determine if they preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.