Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2016

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current disability is at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure. The claim of service connection for tinnitus was remanded due to conflicting opinions and need for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, acting alone, require the need of assistance for daily activities such as hygiene and medication management. The Board finds that aid and attendance is warranted solely because of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to attend a scheduled videoconference hearing. He will be given another opportunity for such a hearing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) are being remanded due to the need for further administrative efforts to confirm his reported combat service in Korea. A VA examination is also required to determine if these conditions are related to his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus of the right ear, finding that these conditions are related to noise exposure in service.

The Veteran's service-connected thoracic and lumbar spine disability most likely contributed to his loss of use of his feet, which meets the criteria for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD), and hypertension have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The criteria for service connection are met for all four conditions.

The Veteran's asthma, bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were all found to be service-connected. His claim for a higher rating for his amputation of the right ring and little finger with ankylosis of the right middle finger was dismissed as he withdrew it during his October 2015 Travel Board hearing.

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

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn due to his request to withdraw the appeal regarding left ankle, back, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus issues. The Board did not have jurisdiction to review these issues as they were dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for residuals, dislocation of proximal interphalangeal joint, right middle finger with osteoarthrosis is granted. The disability has been rated as noncompensable under Diagnostic Code 5229 and the current evaluation is increased to 10%.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including VA examinations to assess the nature and etiology of his claimed bilateral hip disability, hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, low back disorder, and shoulder disorders.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development due to questions regarding the exact nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed hearing loss and tinnitus, including a lack of separation examination records and an outdated VA audiometric examination.

The Board found no new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine disability, PTSD, and bilateral pes planus. The service connection claim for tinnitus was denied as there is no medical evidence linking current tinnitus to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and a need for a supplemental VA examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before a decision can be reached on the merits of the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected as they had their onset in service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no competent evidence linking these conditions to active duty service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his active service, with a history of acoustic trauma during military service.