Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is granted, while his claim for an increased rating for low back strain remains pending. His TDIU claim has been referred to the Compensation Director due to evidence suggesting he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claims for increased ratings for PTSD and low back disability, as well as the TDIU claim are remanded.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus to service, including conceded noise exposure. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing. The issues of service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and asbestosis are still pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not begin during or as a result of his military service, including noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred during service and is not related to any inservice noise exposure. The left collar bone and shoulder disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of their onset in service or a relationship to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and review of relevant medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset in active service and is granting service connection for this condition. The issue of fatigue and pain, to include as a chronic disability pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. § 1117, will be addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus likely began during active service and is granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's tinnitus had its inception during service, and grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection is granted. The skin disability claim remains pending as a new VA opinion is needed regarding its relationship to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by or a result of his service-connected conditions, including PTSD. The cause of death listed in the VA donor note was cardiopulmonary arrest, which is less likely than not related to any service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his in-service noise exposure, as evidenced by VA examinations conducted in November 2011 and November 2014. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and thus denies his claim for a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, including exposure to noise during his deployment in Afghanistan. As a result, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence of continuous symptoms since service or within one year of discharge, and the VA examiner opined that it is less likely than not caused by in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran had tinnitus present in service and continued after service, granting service connection for tinnitus. Bilateral hearing loss was not granted as it is presumed to have been pre-existing.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, tinnitus, and hearing loss, do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. As such, the appeal for TDIU was denied.