Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's tinnitus is not etiologically related to active service and the Board finds that there is a preponderance of evidence against his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right foot amputation and neurological issues, make it impossible for him to walk without the aid of a wheelchair or brace. The Board finds that he meets the criteria for specially adapted housing benefits.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to noise exposure during active service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, PTSD, and a right knee disorder have been granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be etiologically related to his active duty service, with the benefit of doubt given in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after service. The VA examinations did not find any current disability for either condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further development of his service connection claims.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability due to new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for bilateral tinnitus as secondary to service-connected bilateral chronic otitis media. The claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and review of his claims file.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to service, but his bilateral hearing loss did not have its clinical onset in service and is not otherwise related to active duty. The claim for hearing loss was denied as it could not be presumed due to a lack of evidence within one year post-service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is a reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during service and is related to noise exposure. However, there is no evidence of hearing loss in service or for many years after service, which weighs against a finding of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that further development of the claim is needed due to inadequate VA opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus and his military service. The case is REMANDED for a new medical opinion.

The claims of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including issuance of a Statement of the Case on the issue of increased rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability, back disability (as secondary to a service-connected right knee disability), left shoulder disability, and left elbow disability are related to his active service. The Veteran's tinnitus and vision loss do not have onset during active service or are not etiologically related to active service. Adult acne is also not related to active service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and verifying claimed stressors. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, will be evaluated in light of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, in combination, affect him in such a way that he is precluded from performing either sedentary or physical work. The Board grants entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. This includes obtaining relevant medical records, including from his National Guard service, as well as an addendum opinion to address whether his current hearing issues are related to military noise exposure.