Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's tinnitus has been granted service connection. The right ankle sprain issue is remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, including in-service noise exposure. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, hearing loss, and tinnitus as the evidence did not establish a nexus to service. The Veteran's current conditions are attributed to post-service noise exposure and age-related presbycusis.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, which are cumulatively rated at 90 percent.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not have an onset or are otherwise related to his period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, various diagnosed psychiatric disorder, lumbar spine osteoarthritis, right thigh compressive neuropathy, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches, adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, and a heart disorder (including atherosclerotic heart disease) are granted. The claim for an increased rating for tinnitus is dismissed.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted as the evidence shows that his current conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the VA audiological examination relied on incorrect conversion of audiometric findings, and thus remands for an addendum to provide a proper analysis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to secure additional medical opinions and service department records. The claims of service connection for various disabilities are inextricably intertwined and must be considered concurrently.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hearing loss in his right ear as defined for VA purposes and that his left ear hearing loss is not related to service. The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be a symptom of his non-service-connected hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing the case.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's tinnitus is related to in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have its onset in or is otherwise attributable to service. The Board also determined that the Veteran's right ankle disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU effective April 5, 2014, based on his service-connected disabilities. The combined rating of these conditions meets the criteria for a TDIU as of July 31, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and the retrieval of outstanding medical records. The Board will review his claims based on this new evidence.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as they are at least in equipoise that his tinnitus is related to active duty service, while his hearing loss claim is not supported by evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.