Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted effective as of October 30, 2012.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were reopened on new evidence received after the initial denial in May 2015. Effective from October 30, 2012, these conditions are now considered service-connected.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's contentions concerning in-service noise exposure are credible and consistent with his service. Service connection is also granted for bilateral hearing loss as it was incurred during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded to the AOJ.,Effective dates prior to June 6, 2014, are not warranted for awards of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's left ear tinnitus is found to be related to in-service acoustic trauma, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are related to his service, including noise exposure during military service. As such, the appeal for service connection is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and a chronic upper respiratory disorder, finding that there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, peripheral neuropathy, and ischemic heart disease, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain gainful employment due to his mental health issues and physical limitations.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus. The claim for left ear hearing loss, however, has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or chronic symptoms. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a videoconference hearing at the RO. The appeal is not yet decided on the merits of service connection claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to his service, specifically noise exposure during active duty. As such, service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus, which he first noticed shortly after service, is presumed to have arisen during or within one year of his separation from active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not preclude substantially gainful employment, so the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and etiology of tinnitus, including a lack of service treatment records. The Veteran's lay statements and testimony will be considered.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions, and the evidence does not support a finding that they are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's TDIU claim for additional development, including obtaining a VA opinion regarding whether his service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The case is also referred to VA's Director of C&P Service for consideration of entitlement to TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding when he stopped working and the need for further information on his income during the years at issue. The TDIU claim remains pending as it is intertwined with other claims for increased ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a left ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes and his right ear hearing loss disability is not related to service. The tinnitus was incurred during peacetime service.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to May 25, 2011, for the award of service connection for cervical spine degenerative arthritis, radiculopathy of the right and left upper extremities, and sleep apnea have been dismissed as he withdrew these claims.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus is etiologically related to acoustic trauma sustained in active service and grants his claim for service connection.