Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for bilateral hearing loss as defined by VA standards. The Veteran's puretone thresholds have never met the criteria for a disability during this appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if he is precluded from substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and other physical conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and found that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his military service. The effective date of the grant of service connection for PTSD remains unresolved.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's significant noise exposure during military service is sufficient to establish a link between his current condition and his active duty. The issue of bilateral hearing loss was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran experienced in-service noise exposure, which is presumed to be related to his current conditions.

The RO denied service connection for tinnitus, and the Veteran is requesting a personal hearing before a Decision Review Officer (DRO) of the RO. The case is being remanded to schedule this hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of current disabilities within one year of separation from service. The Veteran's current conditions are considered to be related to his civilian occupations rather than military service.

The Board has withdrawn the appeal of service connection for mood disorder. The claims for new and material evidence for hearing loss and residuals of head injury have been granted, and service connection is established for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Service connection is not established for left knee disability or jaw disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to address the relationship between current hearing loss and tinnitus and in-service noise exposure, as well as an evaluation of whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), finding that these conditions did not manifest during or as a result of active military service. The claim for service connection related to radiation exposure was also denied, with no evidence linking any current disabilities to such exposure.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, specifically bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's in-service noise exposure is sufficient to establish a link between his current condition and service. The issue of hypertension remains pending as additional evidence and examination are needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, which was caused by in-service noise exposure. As a result, the claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has determined that the appellant's character of discharge is a bar to VA benefits, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The examiner's opinions were deemed inadequate due to their failure to consider possible onset within one year of service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate examinations in August 2014. The Veteran's claims of hearing loss, tinnitus, and right hand carpal tunnel syndrome are being reviewed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, and other conditions, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus began during his military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and found that the Veteran's right hand disability, gastrointestinal disability, and obstructive sleep apnea are presumed to have been incurred during his military service. Service connection was denied for diabetes mellitus.