Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to noise exposure during service, resulting in a grant of service connection for both conditions.,There is at least a 50% likelihood that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are due to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure a complete record for the claims of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's service records from his National Guard service are missing, which may be relevant to these claims.

The Veteran is granted service connection for recurrent tinnitus, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and left ear hearing loss, effective from December 31, 2014. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at 40 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum VA medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is associated with his tinnitus.

The Board has ordered additional development due to an inadequate VA examination of the Veteran's PTSD, which did not address how his service-connected disabilities affect his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's tinnitus, cervical spine disorder, and sleep apnea are all found to be related to his service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, as there is no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service. The foot problems and skin disorder have not been evaluated for service connection due to lack of a VA examination.

The Veteran withdrew all claims that were on appeal, including the ones for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, left knee degenerative arthritis (osteoarthritis), and patellar chondromalacia of the left knee are all service-connected. The neurological disorder of the left shoulder is not service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with noise exposure being a significant factor.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are service-connected, with at least an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence supporting this determination.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected traumatic brain injury (TBI). The other issues, including reduction of the disability rating for posttraumatic headaches and entitlements related to PTSD and TDIU, are pending.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his military service, granted.,The Veteran's eczema of the bilateral hands was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and clarification of the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, including a supplemental medical opinion from the examiner who conducted the May 2009 VA audiometric examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes and thus cannot establish service connection.,There is no competent medical evidence linking the Veteran's tinnitus to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not related to his military service, as there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or chronic symptoms within a year of discharge. The Veteran's lay statements concerning the onset and continuity of his hearing problems were deemed inconsistent with other evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's military service caused his condition. The left foot disorder issue is remanded due to lack of medical records and further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus in a September 2014 rating decision, resolving the Veteran's appeal. The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to inadequate VA examination and need for additional development.