Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown to be related to his service, as they pre-existed service or are not otherwise linked to military noise exposure. The current conditions are considered to have resulted from post-service occupational and recreational noise exposure.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus and finds it as likely as not that his tinnitus is causally related to in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's initial compensable rating claim for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, headaches, back condition, joint pain, and psychiatric disorder were denied as there was no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including schizoaffective disorder and migraine headaches, have met the percentage requirements for a TDIU from January 15, 2008 to August 31, 2015. The evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether her service-connected psychiatric disorders prevented her from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been reopened. The evidence now shows that the Veteran has current diagnoses of these conditions.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus as it is etiologically related to his period of active service.

The Veteran's lung cancer, which caused his death, was not service-connected. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause or contribute to his death.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current disability of right ear hearing loss for VA purposes. The claim is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no current disability in either ear recognized as a VA hearing loss condition. The evidence does not establish a nexus between any current hearing loss or tinnitus and military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a Board hearing at a local VA office. The issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral ear hearing loss and tinnitus are pending.

The Board has remanded the case for a videoconference hearing due to the judge who conducted the previous hearing no longer being available.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate development and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including a new examination to determine if the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service. The examiner should consider all reported noise exposure incidents during service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU rating, and he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected non-Hodgkin's lymphoma contributed to his death from suicide.

The Veteran's tension headaches are rated at 50 percent since October 15, 2015. His TDIU claim is granted as his service-connected disabilities effectively preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment from July 2, 2015.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is found to be at least as likely as not related to in-service acoustic trauma, and his tinnitus is also found to be related to service. Therefore, both conditions are granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the VA opinions obtained in March 2014 are inadequate and supplemental opinions are necessary to ensure compliance with the February 2014 remand. The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus will be remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development, including an incomplete VA examination and a need for additional medical records. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed again after these issues are addressed.

The Veteran's current tinnitus is attributable to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, pes planus, and tinnitus are service-connected. The RO granted a 50% rating for bilateral hearing loss effective January 22, 2015. The Veteran is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.