Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2012

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate examination and consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptomatology.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims can be fully adjudicated. This includes obtaining VA treatment records and any medical and legal documents pertaining to the Veteran's application for Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits.

The Veteran died of respiratory failure due to or as a consequence of cardiac arrest with acute congestive heart failure. The service-connected residuals of cold weather trauma did not cause his death, nor did it render him materially less capable of resisting the effects of other disease or injury primarily causing death.

The Veteran's appeal regarding service connection for hypertension has been withdrawn. The Board also found that the Veteran does not have current hearing loss or tinnitus, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to acoustic trauma during military service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's combined rating for his service-connected disabilities is 80%, which meets the percentage requirements for schedular TDIU. However, the evidence does not support a finding that he is individually unemployable due to these conditions alone.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with some degree of noise exposure during active duty. The claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for bilateral tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss has been denied as there is no legal basis for the assignment of a schedular evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, including exposure to loud noises such as aircraft engines. As a result, the Board grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining vocational rehabilitation records and clarifying his disability retirement status.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is likely related to service, and his bilateral hearing loss was manifested by level II and III hearing in both ears. However, there are no compensable ratings assigned for his hearing loss as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be causally related to his combat service during active duty, and the claim of service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is due to injury or disease incurred in service, specifically exposure to acoustic trauma during his military service. The Board has granted the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in relative equipoise regarding a causal relationship between the Veteran's in-service noise exposure and his current bilateral hearing loss. As such, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service. The VA audiological evaluations did not find a medical nexus between the Veteran's in-service noise exposure and his current disabilities.

The Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus, which have resulted in a combined disability rating of 80 percent.

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

The Board finds that there is an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and therefore grants service connection for these conditions as they are considered to be directly related to her military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and arranging for a VA examination.