Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to uncertainty regarding the cause of his gait issues and whether they are related to his service-connected BPPV. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there is no legal basis to award higher ratings. The claim for service connection for eye disorder and corneal scars was not addressed due to the nature of the appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ear disability, back disability, bilateral ankle disabilities, and frostbite of the hands and feet. The evidence does not show any right ear disability other than hearing loss and tinnitus for which the Veteran is already service connected.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unemployable since July 31, 2003. His other service-connected condition (tinnitus) does not affect his employability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for eligibility to purchase an automobile and adaptive equipment due to loss of use in hands or feet.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus first manifested during active duty service and has persisted since then, warranting service connection. The claim for gastroesophageal disorder is remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding its etiology.

The Veteran's appeal is granted, with service connection for tinnitus established. The other issues remain on appeal.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to noise exposure during his military service, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus have been denied. The claim for higher rating for right knee disability remains pending.

The Board has remanded the appellant's claims for TDIU and special monthly compensation due to additional evidence being needed, including VA clinical records and a social and industrial survey. The issues are inextricably intertwined with a pending claim of service connection for depression.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA, SSA, and private medical records. A new VA examination will also be conducted to address the etiology of his hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, as they are related to his in-service noise exposure. His major depression disorder is also service-connected, as it is secondary to his service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least in part due to noise exposure during active service. The other issues on appeal have been denied.

The Veteran died from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), which was not service-connected.,Service connection for the cause of death is denied as COPD, a non-service-connected condition, did not result from or contribute to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's tinnitus is likely related to noise exposure in service or his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability. The Board finds the Veteran's testimony that he was exposed to acoustic trauma during military service credible and consistent with the circumstances of his service. Service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus has been denied as the current disability levels do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's schedular evaluation standards.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that new evidence does not establish a nexus between current disabilities and in-service noise exposure. The increased rating claims for knee disabilities are also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, arteriosclerotic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type 2, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on this finding.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are etiologically related to in-service noise exposure, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his essential tremor and Parkinson's disease, do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.