Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, including exposure to noise from artillery. As a result, these conditions have been granted service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings and service connection was denied. His anxiety disorder NOS is rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 9413. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were also not granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for anxiety disorder, NOS, prior to June 1, 2011, and in excess of 50 percent from then on; service connection for PTSD; service connection for depression; service connection for bilateral hearing loss; and service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining his DD 214s and determining exposure to hazardous noise in service. The VA examiners will provide opinions on whether the Veteran developed these conditions as a result of his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, type II diabetes mellitus (DMII), and coronary artery disease (CAD) as directly related to the Veteran's military service. The claims for DMII and CAD due to herbicide exposure are denied.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decreases in work efficiency, depressed mood, anxiety, and difficulty concentrating prior to December 29, 2010. Since then, his symptoms have caused reduced reliability and productivity.,Service connection for pleural and pulmonary asbestosis is denied. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and work background.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a hand disorder (presumably related to fractures) during the Veteran's third period of active service. The Veteran was assigned a noncompensable rating for his right elbow disability.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have started during service and continues since then, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, left ankle disorder, left shoulder disorder, and neck/cervical spine disorder. The reasons are provided in the decision.

The Board has determined that there is an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding the Veteran's tinnitus, and therefore grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to noise exposure during his military service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and knee conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity as to effectively preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment for which the Veteran's education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus, including obtaining information from SSA regarding any disability compensation awards. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his military service. The appeal regarding throat irritation was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which are related to his service. Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss but not for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active military service, including periods of ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA. As such, service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims to reopen and for entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is sufficient evidence to support these claims.