Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are service-connected, with no specific rating assigned or effective date provided.

The Veteran is unable to engage in a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which prevent him from engaging in his prior work as a lineman.

The Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection as his current bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo (Meniere's disease) are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD effective October 6, 2010, based on liberalizing law that became effective July 13, 2010. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his active duty service. The claim for residuals of malaria is remanded due to lack of medical evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he has maintained employment throughout the appeal period and his PTSD does not prevent him from performing work that is not heavily reliant on interpersonal interactions.

The Board has granted service connection for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to exposure to Agent Orange during service. The Veteran's conditions are presumed to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted.

The Veteran's initial noncompensable and 10 percent ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied.,VA has not assigned higher initial ratings for these grants.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records from prior hearing tests and hearing aid use. A VA audiologic examination will be conducted to determine if his current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The issue of respiratory disorder is again remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for tinnitus has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining a new VA medical opinion and requesting the Veteran's separation examination report.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded as the VA examination provided by the November 2010 examiner is inadequate. The Board requires a new VA examination to determine if his current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for PTSD, a hearing loss disability of the left ear, and tinnitus.,These conditions are all related to his active military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypercholesterolemia as due to herbicide exposure, hypertension and swelling of the left leg secondary to diabetes mellitus has been reopened. His diabetes mellitus is rated at a 20 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed tinnitus is at least as likely as not related to active service, and the Board grants his claim for service connection for tinnitus. The issue of hearing loss remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD are being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing.

The Board found that the Veteran's current tinnitus did not manifest during service, was not chronic in service, and has not been shown to be related to service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development to obtain complete VA treatment records and SSA disability determination(s). The case will be readjudicated based on the additional evidence of record.