Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, including in-service noise exposure. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that service connection is granted for hearing loss, tinnitus, and corneal scarring of the right eye based on in-service disease or injury.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, left foot cold injury, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his education level and work experience.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected PTSD, but not due to alcohol abuse. The VA psychiatrist concluded that PTSD did not cause or aggravate the Veteran's alcohol use.

The Board found no evidence of a relationship between the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus and his military service, including noise exposure. The claims were denied.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD rating, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his noise exposure during active duty.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence has been submitted. The claim for tinnitus is granted as it is at least as likely as not related to service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus during service and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

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

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and the case is being remanded to the AOJ for scheduling a videoconference hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are as likely due to noise exposure during his active duty, resulting in a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence has been received. The Board then determined that these conditions were incurred during active service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective prior to August 8, 2011. He also meets the criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss ratings, but granted a 40 percent disability rating for bilateral hearing loss with an effective date of September 23, 2002.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are found to preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board grants entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, while impairing his ability to work, do not render him unemployable as a whole. The combined rating of 70% does not meet the threshold requirement for TDIU under section 4.16(a).

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for tinnitus, but not for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has withdrawn the Veteran's appeal for service connection of a low back disability. The claims for increased ratings for left shoulder DJD are denied.