Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the appellant's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, specifically his ACDUTRA period. As a result, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral vision loss, a psychiatric disability (anxiety disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder), chronic headaches, sleep apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, arthritis of the right shoulder, arthritis of the left shoulder, low back disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, arthritis of the right knee, arthritis of the left knee, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have been denied. The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has also been denied.

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

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions provided are inadequate for evaluation purposes, and thus a new examination is warranted to determine if the appellant's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service. The issues of service connection for both conditions will be held in abeyance until such time as the question of etiology is resolved.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, with current evidence at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions began during active duty. As such, service connection is granted for both disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD with depression, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to service, but his tinnitus is related. The decision is mixed as some issues are granted and others are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted, with the Board finding that it is as likely as not related to military service. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss remains pending and requires additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus is assigned a maximum schedular rating of 10 percent, and no higher. The issues of entitlement to service connection for TBI, dental trauma, asthma, PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disability (other than PTSD), and hearing loss in the right ear are remanded for additional development.

The appeal is being remanded due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus claims. Additional medical opinions are needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, or a bilateral eye disability. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss disability and tinnitus do not warrant an initial rating in excess of 0 percent or a higher rating, respectively. The Veteran is currently receiving the maximum schedular rating for his tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to in-service noise exposure. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus disabilities related to his military service and therefore denied both claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to his failure to report for a VA examination scheduled in conjunction with these reopened claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, right hip bursitis, left hip tendonitis, right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and residuals of a chipped right elbow, combine for a rating of 50 percent or more. The combined rating is at least 70 percent, meeting the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran is found unemployable due to his service-connected PTSD, which has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.