Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have manifested during active duty service and granted service connection. The case for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not causally or etiologically related to service, thus denying the claims for service connection.

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, thus the criteria for a TDIU are not met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, kidney disorder, and hypertension are related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The claims for high cholesterol and erectile dysfunction have been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including verifying the appellant's periods of active duty and inactive duty training in the Navy Reserve, scheduling a VA examination, and ensuring that all evidence is properly considered.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at the highest possible schedular rating of 70 percent, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment. The residuals of a head injury are not service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The maximum schedular rating of 20 percent was assigned for diabetes mellitus, which is the highest available under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, updating the claims file with any new evidence, and scheduling a VA audiology examination to determine if the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus on the basis that they are related to in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's current hearing loss disability meets VA criteria, and his private audiologists have provided opinions linking his hearing loss to military noise exposure. Tinnitus is considered a symptom of his hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, right shoulder impingement syndrome, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and right deltoid scar) render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his active service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that tinnitus was not manifested in service and is not related to the Veteran's service, thus denying service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus began in service and is related to noise exposure, resulting in a grant of service connection for tinnitus. The hearing loss claim remains pending as it was not resolved in this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not require regular aid and attendance or render him housebound, thus denying his claim for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, tinnitus, and left ear hearing loss. The right ear hearing loss claim is remanded due to conflicting evidence.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted a 60 percent disability rating. The other issues remain pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lung disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are not service-connected due to lack of evidence supporting in-service exposure or a link between current conditions and service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and treatment records. The case will be reconsidered after these are obtained.