Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities were incurred during service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, with evidence indicating they were caused by in-service acoustic trauma. As such, these conditions have been granted service connection.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be incurred in service, meeting the criteria for direct service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records, as well as for a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of any diagnosed right hand and right ankle disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, or left ankle disorder.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for service-connected bilateral hearing loss and service connection for tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are etiologically related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a skin disorder. However, it determined that there was no nexus between the current hearing loss disability and active service due to lack of in-service noise exposure. The tinnitus issue is also not related to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have manifested within one year of separation from service, meeting the criteria for presumptive service connection. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's current tinnitus is at least as likely as not the result of acoustic trauma during service. The Board finds that his tinnitus is related to his active service.

The Veteran is found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, specifically diabetes and its complications, PTSD, and hearing loss. The Board grants the TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is not related to his military service. For the low back disorder and heart disorder claims, additional medical opinions are needed as the current evidence does not address the Veteran's contentions regarding chemical exposure during service.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for tinnitus, hearing loss of the left ear, and hearing loss of the right ear based on direct evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted.,The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased initial rating for PTSD prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The hearing loss claim was not addressed in detail, but a VA examination is needed to determine its etiology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and residuals of a head injury are not related to his active service, and thus denied these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus type II with peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, residuals of status post right hemicolectomy secondary to bowel perforation from colonoscopy with status post ventral hernia repair and scar, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, preclude him from obtaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus had their onset in service, and thus granted service connection for these conditions. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded as it was not fully addressed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, including in-service noise exposure during active duty and ACDUTRA. As such, the claims for service connection have been granted.