Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for TDIU.

The Board has determined that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are caused by in-service noise exposure, resulting in service connection being granted.

The Veteran's service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus is found to be the cause of his obstructive sleep apnea, and therefore he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims are not ready for decision and requires additional development, including new examinations to address his hearing loss, tinnitus, and right ankle disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions, and the evidence does not support a finding that they are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and acquired psychiatric disability (other than PTSD) are all service-connected.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for tinnitus and hypertension, but denied the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus due to Agent Orange exposure. The new evidence does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating any of these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of tinnitus and therefore, service connection for tinnitus is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting information regarding the Veteran's hearing request. The Veteran is entitled to a videoconference hearing at the earliest opportunity.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for ED, finding that it is proximately due to his service-connected prostate cancer. The claims for hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus. The appellant's current bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to in-service noise exposure, while his tinnitus is as likely caused by or aggravated by his service-connected hearing loss.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a psychiatric disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted. Service connection is established for depressive disorder. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service connected.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED for additional development, including a new VA examination and a combined effects medical opinion. The issues of entitlement to an increased initial rating for PTSD and entitlement to a TDIU are being remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran's Multiple Sclerosis did not have its onset during service and is not causally related to service. The Board denied service connection for Multiple Sclerosis.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected as they did not manifest during or within one year after service, and there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure. However, the Veteran reported experiencing symptoms since service and his current conditions are related to acoustic trauma from service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of a current disability during service or within one year after separation. The VA audiological examinations did not show significant threshold shifts in either ear.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied service connection for residuals of a right ear cholesteatoma and mastoidectomy, to include conductive hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected as they are related to his military service, despite some conflicting medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset in active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran likely has bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus that are attributable to his period of active military service, resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.