Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2014

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a nexus between current symptoms and military service. The VA audiologist concluded that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were more likely due to presbycusis (age-related hearing loss) and post-service occupational and recreational noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety/adjustment disorder and assigned an initial 50 percent rating, effective from the date of claim. The other issues remain pending.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and PTSD, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability. The effective dates for these grants are January 22, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for scarring on the lungs and purified protein derivative conversion status post prophylactic treatment with inhalation have been withdrawn. The Veteran has current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as a result of in-service noise exposure, which are granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities originated during his period of active service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by his active military service, including exposure to loud radio noise. The preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that these conditions are related to his service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his period of service, including any in-service noise exposure.,The VA examiner concluded that there was no evidence of acoustic trauma shown in the service treatment records that would cause the Veteran's tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure in Thailand. The Veteran's claims for hypertension, anxiety disorder, depression, lung disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability as his combined disability rating is less than 60% prior to May 1, 2014, and does not exceed 40% after that date.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not shown to be related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to the need to obtain VA treatment records and provide a thorough examination of the Veteran's back disability.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for increased ratings and a TDIU rating related to his service-connected PTSD, diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, and left ear hearing loss. The case is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of a current disability. The claims to reopen the leg thrombosis were remanded.,VA will need to obtain updated treatment records related to the Veteran's lower extremity conditions and arrange for an audiologist to provide an opinion regarding his left ear hearing loss.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his in-service noise exposure. The preponderance of the evidence supports the denial of these claims.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his active service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The issues of bilateral hearing loss and skin disability are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, a neurologic disorder (to include Parkinson's disease), a headache disorder, irritable bowel syndrome, and a heart disorder. The Veteran did not have any of these conditions during service or within one year after separation, and the evidence does not support a finding that they were incurred in service.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are found to be related to his military service, resulting in a grant of service connection for these conditions.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's foot disorder, claimed as skin problems and a burning sensation involving the feet, both due to chemical exposure.

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD rating, service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his medical records.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the referral of other claims and the need for a VA examination. The appeal will be reconsidered after these matters are resolved.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder, NOS, resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks prior to February 4, 2013.,For the period from February 4, 2013, the Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder, NOS, resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.