Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his service exposure to noise during his time in Vietnam, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension are not related to his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure sufficient to cause current disability. The VA audiologist opined that the current hearing loss and tinnitus are more likely due to post-service occupational noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and therefore he is not entitled to a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, when considered as one disability due to common etiology from in-service noise exposure, meet the minimum percent evaluation requirement for a TDIU since December 11, 2008. He is deemed unemployable by reason of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the cause of death, anoxic brain injury due to hypotension and bradycardia, was not caused or contributed substantially or materially by any service-connected disability. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, lumbosacral spine disability, tinnitus, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss were deemed insufficient to contribute to his death.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for the period after June 6, 2009 is dismissed as moot due to his already assigned 100% schedular rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and otitis media) have rendered him unemployable due to his inability to hear within the range of a normal conversation level, localize sounds, and function well on the phone. The Board finds that with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran, he is entitled to a TDIU.

The Veteran's tinnitus was first noted during service and has persisted since then, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his active military service, and he was granted an initial disability rating of 50 percent for PTSD. The appeal regarding the increased rating claim for PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD and frostbite residuals are associated solely with his second, dishonorable period of service. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or otherwise related to active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of current disabilities meeting VA criteria for a disability. The noise exposure during service is conceded but does not establish service connection due to lack of continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are being remanded due to insufficient evidence, including the need for further VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an audiological examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus and renal cell carcinoma are not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has found the Veteran's contentions that he experienced tinnitus since service to be credible and grants entitlement to service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has found that service connection for tinnitus is warranted, and the issue of bilateral hearing loss disability will be remanded for further development.

The Board finds that the appellant's tinnitus is related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to noise exposure during his military service and grants service connection for this condition.