Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2016

The Veteran has been granted service connection for left foot plantar fasciitis. The Board finds that the Veteran's current right ankle, low back, upper back (neck), TBI residuals, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus are not established as service-connected.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and the Board finds that neither is otherwise related to service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as to locate and review a report from the American Tinnitus Association.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to in-service acoustic trauma. The appeal of the right ankle disability and right eye disorder claims is dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to address the claims of hearing loss, tinnitus, and lung condition (claimed as tuberculosis).

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's lay statements indicating he has had ringing in his ears since service are at least in equipoise with the VA medical opinions. Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions were not incurred or aggravated by his active duty or reserve service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity and probable etiology of his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied in the February 2011 VA examination. The October 2010 examination report is missing from the file, which may affect the accuracy of the decision.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right deviated septum, left inguinal hernia, residuals of low back injury, and heart disorder. Specifically, an addendum opinion is needed regarding the etiology of these conditions.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were aggravated by his active duty service, warranting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension has not been manifested by diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more or systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more, thus preventing a higher initial rating.,Tinnitus was incurred in service and the Board affords the Veteran the benefit of doubt.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for Traumatic Brain Injury, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran will be scheduled for a new TBI examination conducted by one of the four designated specialists.

The Veteran's initial ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no legal basis to award more than the maximum schedular rating available.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability rating for the service-connected right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, effective from the date of the claim. The Veteran's testimony and examination reports indicate that his hearing impairment significantly impacted his ability to work as a truck driver.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to October 24, 2012 for service connection of hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The effective date is set at October 24, 2012 due to a liberalizing change in the law.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) has been denied as he does not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board found that his primary occupational impairment is from a non-service connected condition, chronic pulmonary insufficiency.