Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2016

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical opinions and records. The issues of service connection for constipation, a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, and entitlement to a TDIU rating are now before the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the evidence was in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's tinnitus is causally related to noise exposure during active service, and granted service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, but his heart disorder claim remains pending as it does not involve a presumption of exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the Veteran's employability and consideration of whether an extraschedular evaluation is appropriate.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are not related to his active duty service. The preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, and his bilateral hearing loss may also be service-connected based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for a cervical spine condition and tinnitus. Specifically, VA treatment records should be obtained, as well as any private treatment records the Veteran may have. The Veteran will also undergo a VA examination to determine if his current neck disability is related to his time in active duty service. An addendum opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's tinnitus will also be provided.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to active duty, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The issue of bilateral hearing loss remains pending as it was not addressed in detail.

The Veteran's hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and he is found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities. A TDIU is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development as it pertains to service connection claims for headaches, a right knee injury, hearing loss disability, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his hearing loss, tinnitus, and left foot disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and higher ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including sleep apnea, PTSD, chronic pain disorder, and other neurological disorders. The decision is based on the lack of evidence supporting a direct link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal as to service connection for bilateral flat feet and cervical spine spondylosis is withdrawn. The claims of service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss were denied because there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military noise exposure.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for the issue of entitlement to an increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The Veteran meets the criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities, rendering him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus has not been established as they are not related to service.,Service connection for testicle condition and right leg laceration has not been established as there is no indication of such conditions in service or post-service prior to the Veteran's claim.,The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since September 16, 2013, and at 70 percent thereafter.

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

The Veteran's service separation form shows he had continuous active service from January 5, 1961 to December 27, 1962. However, his service ended before the start of the Vietnam era and does not meet the criteria for qualifying wartime service as required by law.