Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2016

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus based on the Veteran's in-service acoustic trauma and continuous symptoms since separation.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's acoustic trauma during military service is at least in equipoise with his current tinnitus. The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss remains pending and requires further development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and left ulnar neuropathy (cubital tunnel syndrome).,Service connection was also granted for tinnitus, with the condition manifesting during active service.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound has been denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his cervical spine condition and anxiety and depression, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that a TDIU is warranted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including as due to service-connected migraine headaches and tinnitus. The Veteran's representative requested a new opinion considering his service-connected conditions and medications.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus secondary to the Veteran's service-connected TBI residuals. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently under development.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have had its onset in service and is therefore granted service connection.,Service connection for the right knee disability is granted as it was aggravated by service, with a current diagnosis of degenerative joint disease with patellofemoral syndrome.,A new VA examination is required to determine if the Veteran has bilateral hearing loss that meets the criteria for a hearing loss disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran's death was caused by anoxic/hypoperfusion and severe brain injury, with the underlying cause being presumed toxic ingestion/overdose. His service-connected PTSD is considered to have contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA audiology examination to determine if the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. The decision found that there was no evidence of current tinnitus during or after service, and that any current psychiatric disorders are not related to service.

The Board denied service connection for a right eye disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's claims were based on exposure to loud noises in combat engineering duties during service, but the evidence did not establish that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is causally related to his service-connected left ear hearing loss, and therefore grants secondary service connection for tinnitus. The issue of right ear hearing loss remains pending as it was not addressed in this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, including in-service noise exposure. The hypertension claim is being remanded for further development.

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

The Board found that service connection is not warranted for tinnitus, residuals of a fractured jaw, loss of the sense of smell, and visual problems for purposes of accrued benefits due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active duty or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further adjudication as the combined rating percentage requirement of 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a) is not met, and the issue should be referred to the VA Under Secretary for Benefits or the VA Director of the Compensation and Pension Service for adjudication under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, tinnitus, and heart disorder were denied. The appeals are based on presumed exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asthma and tinnitus are etiologically related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board determined that the calculation of the combined disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected disabilities in the April 2012 rating decision was proper and denied his request for a higher combined disability rating.