Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2013

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as new and material evidence has been received. However, these claims are denied on the merits.

The Veteran currently has tinnitus that began in service and the Board finds it at least as likely as not that his current tinnitus is related to his military service, including exposure to noise from working in an engine room without hearing protection.

The Veteran's TBI with vertigo, migraine headaches associated with the condition, and bilateral tinnitus are now rated at 40 percent effective October 23, 2008.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further consideration by the Director of Compensation and Pension Service due to his service-connected low back disorder.

The Board has granted the claim of service connection for hypertension, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by or aggravated by a service-connected disability (PTSD and DDD with use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability or tinnitus, and there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure causing these conditions. As such, service connection for both disabilities cannot be granted.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, but the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not supported by competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Veteran's death was caused by hypertension, which is presumed to have been incurred in service. The claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is dismissed as the cause of death is service-connected.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is sufficient evidence to establish a link between current hearing loss and noise exposure in service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a social survey and a VA examination to assess his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to provide a VA examination. The TDIU claim will be adjudicated after the left shoulder service connection issue is resolved.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and is not due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus did not have its onset during service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are likely related to his period of active service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded to the RO for further action, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from performing sedentary employment, and the Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against his claim for a TDIU.

The Veteran's tinnitus was not present during service, and the evidence does not show that it is related to noise exposure or other incident during active service. Therefore, his claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied.