Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, left Bell's palsy, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, preclude him from obtaining and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional information and medical examinations regarding his claims of service connection for various disabilities, including left foot disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left jaw disability, and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing private medical records and further development is required.

The Board has determined that the appellant's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, resulting in a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a low back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, or tinnitus having its onset in service. The Veteran's STRs do not show any complaints or treatment for these conditions during his active duty. A VA examination report concluded that the current diagnoses are more likely due to post-service injuries and not related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his exposure to acoustic trauma during active service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his level of education and occupational experience.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining National Guard service records and scheduling examinations to determine the etiology of various conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence was at least evenly balanced as to whether COPD is related to his active duty service, but did not find new and material evidence in support of reopening a claim for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Veteran's tinnitus had onset in service and the Board finds that it is at least as likely as not related to his military service. The other issues on appeal are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability in either case.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus. The VA medical examination concluded that the Veteran's tinnitus is more likely than not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there is no current evidence of a hearing loss disability meeting VA criteria, and the exposure basis was deemed insufficient.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as his current conditions are not related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with psychosis, along with other nonservice-connected conditions, has rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance. Effective January 13, 2006, the Veteran is entitled to special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during service and is etiologically related to in-service noise exposure, thus granting service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity as to effectively preclude substantially gainful employment for which the Veteran's education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and the need for additional development, including obtaining updated addresses and medical records.