Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2014

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as tinnitus, all of which were claimed to be related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions. The claims are not supported by current evidence or medical opinion.

The Veteran's PTSD claim has been granted, with the stressor event related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during service. The VA psychologist confirmed that the claimed stressors are adequate and support a diagnosis of PTSD.,The Veteran's tinnitus claim has also been granted, as it is related to exposure to acoustic trauma in service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to verify the Veteran's periods of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) and Inactive Duty for Training (INACDUTRA), as well as to obtain VA treatment records, before a decision can be made on her claims.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted service connection for tinnitus. However, further development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for PTSD, right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and left shoulder disability are denied. The effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD remains April 8, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn, and the Board dismissed the claims for service connection for residuals of squamous cell carcinoma (throat cancer), bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral tinnitus due to lack of a pending claim.

The Board found that the reduction of the disability evaluation for service-connected PTSD with cognitive disorder from 50% to 30%, effective April 6, 2009, was proper. The Veteran's cognitive impairment symptoms were considered as part of his TBI residuals and assigned a single 70% rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is causally related to noise exposure during active service. The issues of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, and cardiovascular disorder are remanded.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus in service, and the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service. Therefore, he is denied service connection for both hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether his tinnitus is related to service exposure to loud noise.

The Veteran is rendered unemployable solely as a result of his multiple, service-connected disabilities of a common etiology ratable in combination as 60 percent disabling since December 2012 and with due consideration of his educational and occupational background. As such, the Board grants TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no credible evidence of pathology during or immediately following service. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a Board videoconference hearing. The issues on appeal include reopening claims for service connection and seeking service connection for various conditions, including heart failure, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral hearing loss, all potentially related to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities. The case will be returned to the AOJ after further review.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to determine the nature and etiology of his bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral heel condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service connected, with the former due to noise exposure during his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected as they had their onset during his active duty.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of a lightning strike injury, left and right knee disabilities, and PTSD. However, these claims are not granted as the evidence does not establish that any disability is related to military service.