Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2016

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service exposure to loud noise. The lower back issue remains pending and will be remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, GERD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension have been denied as there is no competent evidence of current diagnoses or a link to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus was granted. The Board found that the Veteran met the criteria for a current diagnosis of PTSD related to his military service, and also found evidence supporting a relationship between his in-service noise exposure and his current hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran does not have a current right knee disability or tinnitus.,There is no medical evidence linking the Veteran's low back disability to service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and finds that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active service. The claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded as there are outstanding medical records needed.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have had its onset during active service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disorder is remanded due to lack of an examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected based on continuity of symptoms since service, with no evidence of intercurrent causes.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have been incurred during his military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, granting service connection for both 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 Veteran's tinnitus, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, PVD of the legs, right hand arthritis, and left hand arthritis are all found to be related to service.

The Veteran has currently diagnosed bilateral tinnitus and was exposed to acoustic trauma to both ears during service. The evidence is in equipoise as to whether tinnitus is related to service or service-connected tinnitus, leading to the grant of service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for a temporary total evaluation due to hospitalization and convalescence following his March 2008 accident was denied as the criteria for such an evaluation were not met. The Veteran sustained injuries related to his service-connected shoulder disability, but did not meet the requirement of at least 21 days of hospitalization or surgery resulting in immobilization by a cast.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate development, including obtaining additional medical records and providing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, including exposure to loud noise during training. As a result, the appeal for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and tinnitus do not render him unemployable prior to September 28, 2011. His combined disability rating was less than 70% at that time.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, back disability, and neck disability are granted.

The Veteran seeks a TDIU rating based on his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral knee and back conditions, headaches, and tinnitus. The Board has determined that additional medical opinion is needed to assess the impact of these disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and glaucoma prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for tinnitus was denied as the disability is rated at its maximum allowable under VA guidelines.