Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to determine if he has sufficient hearing loss to satisfy the threshold minimum requirements of 38 C.F.R. § 3.385, as well as to obtain an opinion on whether his current hearing loss disability is related to military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a video conference hearing, and the AOJ should schedule this hearing in accordance with his request.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular rating requirement for assignment of a TDIU and he is reasonably shown to be unable to secure or follow a substantial gainful occupation as a result of these disabilities. The claim for increase in left shoulder disability remains pending.

The Veteran's sensation of tightening and/or closing of the throat is found to be a manifestation of his service-connected PTSD, thus meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been rated at the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent. The Board finds that an increased rating is not warranted for either condition.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of tinnitus is traceable to military service. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral eye disability remains pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, erectile dysfunction as secondary to a service-connected disability, and increased rating for bilateral hearing loss have been denied. The effective date of the tinnitus claim is set at March 14, 1989, but no earlier. A compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to March 29, 2012, and in excess of 20 percent since that date has not been met.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the claim for service connection for a visual impairment during his November 2015 Board hearing.

The Veteran's asthma was not related to service, including his presumed herbicide exposure in Vietnam.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is denied as new evidence did not relate the conditions to service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's in-service noise exposure likely caused his current condition. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss and chronic fatigue syndrome.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for tinnitus, as it is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to in-service noise exposure, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bowel incontinence disability was granted, with the effective date being determined by the AOJ. The Veteran is now rated at 60 percent for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was received on November 21, 2008. As the earliest effective date possible, this claim is denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus was not chronic in service, did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of service separation, and symptoms were not continuous since service separation. The evidence does not show that the Veteran's bilateral tinnitus is etiologically related to service.,The evidence does not show that the Veteran has a currently diagnosed left foot disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disability and tinnitus have been reopened. The evidence supports the presumption of in-service onset or aggravation, leading to a determination that these conditions are presumed incurred in service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for referral of his TDIU claim prior to October 28, 2010 to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been found to be service-connected. The initial rating for PTSD has been granted at the maximum available rate of 100 percent.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for intermittent chest pains, hypertension, tinnitus, and hearing loss have been granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be service connected as it is a disability that has been recurrent since service and the Board finds it at least as likely as not related to noise exposure in service.