Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2015

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and peripheral neuropathy. The decision also addressed hypertension but did not specify a rating or effective date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus originated during active service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and GERD are all found to be related to his service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, thus denying his claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, but not due to noise exposure. The Veteran's current hearing loss is less likely than not caused by military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The case was remanded to consider whether he is unemployable due to his service-connected conditions on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran has appealed the effective dates for various ratings, but not all issues have been timely appealed. The appeal is mixed as some issues are granted and others are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations for his bilateral knee disabilities, PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus have been withdrawn. The Veteran's service-connected left and right knee disabilities are currently evaluated as 20 percent disabling based on instability under Diagnostic Code 5257. Separate 10 percent evaluations are assigned for each knee due to arthritis with painful motion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right plantar fasciitis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are related to service. The right knee disability is not shown to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service connected. The right ankle and knee disabilities are being remanded for further examination, as the current opinions are based on inaccurate factual premises. The low back disability is also being remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as they did not manifest within one year of separation from service and are unrelated to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus due to new evidence provided by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the effective date for service connection and a noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is March 31, 2005.

The Board found that tinnitus was not incurred in service and denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a Travel Board hearing. The case will be processed in accordance with established appellate practices.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinion regarding service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with a supplemental opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted as it is related to active duty, while the claim for tinnitus is also granted due to its onset during active military service.