Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability. The Veteran sustained acoustic trauma during service, but there is no evidence showing a direct relationship between his current hearing loss and in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran and his representative have withdrawn their appeals regarding the reopening of a tinnitus claim and service connection for sleep apnea. As such, the issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and recurrent rectal abscess/pilonidal cyst, rendered him unemployable beginning December 1, 2008. The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for this period.

The Board has determined that service connection is granted for the Veteran's back disorder, but denied for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied service connection for low back condition. The right wrist condition claim is remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active military service, including exposure to noise from artillery guns. As a result, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are of such severity as to render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that there is an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran sustained acoustic trauma in service, had a current disability of sensorineural hearing loss (bilateral hearing loss), and credible evidence of symptoms since service separation. For tinnitus, the Board found that the Veteran reported onset during service and has consistent statements regarding his tinnitus symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not develop in service or are etiologically related to his military service. The VA examiners concluded that the conditions were more likely due to civilian noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as lumbar disc disease, was incurred during active service. The right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are also found to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of service dates and submission of any relevant service records.

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

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted with effective dates of July 6, 2004.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU has also been granted with an effective date of July 6, 2004. The award of DEA benefits is contingent on the grant of service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, primarily his low back and bilateral lower extremity pain, render him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment throughout the appeal period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death is not attributable to service or any incident of service, and therefore denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have service connection for headaches, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, bilateral leg neuropathy, a left ankle disability, hearing loss, or tinnitus due to his service. The evidence does not support these claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection. The hearing loss claim was remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, but his bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for service connection.