Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for a new medical opinion regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete verification of periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA), as well as the need for a VA examination to provide etiological opinions regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for clarification of his private audiogram and for obtaining VA treatment records. The case will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is granted from March 13, 2012, as his combined disability rating was at least 80% and he met the schedular requirements. The issue is moot after May 16, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for tinnitus has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a live videoconference hearing. The claims of service connection for tinnitus, COPD due to asbestos exposure, and increased rating for bilateral hearing loss are still pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating than the currently assigned evaluations.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and awarded a 50 percent rating for migraine headaches, effective from June 26, 2009.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss due to lack of a current disability, but granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as they are considered to be due to a preexisting condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hearing loss for VA purposes and therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The remaining issues on appeal are addressed below.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, with the hearing loss being granted on a direct basis due to noise exposure in service. Tinnitus is presumed based on the presence of high frequency hearing loss during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted, while the claim for an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss has been withdrawn.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbosacral disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus in the right ear are not related to service. The Board also determined that spina bifida is a congenital defect and therefore not service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and provide the Veteran with a VA examination. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, residuals of prostate cancer, and TDIU are inextricably intertwined and must be addressed together.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus based on the Veteran's credible reports of in-service noise exposure and his current symptoms. Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss.

The evidence does not show that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. The Board finds as such, his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to in-service noise exposure. The Board finds that the Veteran's low back, right hip, and bilateral ankle disorders are not directly related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there is no credible, probative evidence of a nexus between his in-service noise exposure and current disabilities.