Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are etiologically related to his noise exposure during active duty, warranting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded for further examination to determine their etiology, as the current VA examinations were deemed inadequate.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus that is related to his active service. The Veteran's claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen his previously denied claim. The Board also determined that there is no direct link between the Veteran's in-service noise exposure and his current tinnitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, ruptured left ear drum, and emphysema are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for further medical opinions regarding his claims of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral ankle disability, diagnosed as a chronic bilateral ankle strain, is related to his active service.,The Board has also determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a hearing loss disability per VA standards, thus denying service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service exposure to hazardous noise levels, and thus service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, but denied service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, asthma, skin cancer of the head, back, and face, knot on left shin, and Meniere's disease and/or vertigo (secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss and/or tinnitus).

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and paranoid schizophrenia, finding that the Veteran's symptoms have existed continuously since his active service. Service connection for hepatitis C is not addressed as it was remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, back disability, and peripheral artery disease are pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU as of December 1, 2015. Prior to that date, his combined disability rating was not sufficient to warrant a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the evidence currently of record is sufficient to substantiate the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be etiologically related to his active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the diagnoses and etiologies of his claimed bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and acquired psychiatric disability. The claim will also be readjudicated after obtaining any necessary treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment throughout the appeal period, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have manifested within one year of his separation from service, qualifying for presumptive service connection.