Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2016

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and ischemic heart disease (IHD) due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's claims for hypertension, PTSD, neuropathy, tinnitus, and secondary service-connected IHD have been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are caused by in-service noise exposure, warranting service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and are not otherwise related to service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional records and provide a new VA audiology examination to determine if the Veteran's hearing loss is related to his active service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claims of higher initial ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus before a decision was made.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence in the service medical records to support a finding of hearing loss or tinnitus during service. The Veteran's claim will be remanded for further development, including obtaining his service personnel records and any relevant post-service VA or non-VA clinical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and HPV due to lack of evidence showing a current disability or a link between her military service and these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and tinnitus prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and conducting VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any hearing loss, tinnitus, and psychiatric disorder.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and residuals of a broken nose, but these claims are remanded for additional development as requested.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been rated at the maximum 10 percent disability rating under Diagnostic Code 6260, and there is no legal basis for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a videoconference hearing due to the appellant's failure to appear for previous hearings and his incarceration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU, and the evidence demonstrates that he is as likely as not unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation by reason of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss, pulmonary tuberculosis with reactive airway disease, impaired range of motion associated with post-thoracotomy pain syndrome, and tinnitus) precluded him from maintaining gainful employment prior to November 20, 2013. As a result, the Board finds that he is entitled to TDIU based on these service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's continuous symptomatology since service is sufficient to establish a link between his in-service noise exposure and current condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.,Service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a link between current symptoms and an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted as the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus. This includes obtaining relevant medical records, including those from his National Guard service and any VA treatment records. The Board will then consider whether the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his service-connected hearing loss or other factors.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional records and a possible VA examination, as well as further consideration of the Veteran's claims.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service. The Veteran's current disabilities have been established, and there is credible evidence of noise exposure during service.