Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a videoconference hearing. The issues of service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 are still pending.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be at least as likely as not related to service, with the Board granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted a 10% rating since August 21, 2014.

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

The Board has granted an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD from February 17, 2012. The Veteran's claim for tinnitus is presumed to have been incurred in service as it manifested within one year of separation and he served in Vietnam. Service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied due to lack of evidence of a current disability. Service connection for left ear hearing loss is granted with an initial rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Board finds that the weight of the competent evidence of record is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran has tinnitus as a result of his active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted, as there is at least a reasonable doubt in favor of these conditions being related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and the potential availability of outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and medical opinions regarding his service-connected disabilities, particularly those related to cold injuries.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active military service, including exposure to noise during his time as a military police officer. As such, these conditions have been granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are related to his active service. The Veteran served in Vietnam as a loader and gunner aboard the USS Hensley, which exposed him to loud noise. His service records show no pre-existing conditions for these disabilities at entry into service, but he experienced symptoms since then.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's combat status and presumed exposure to herbicides during his Vietnam service supports a link between his current tinnitus and his military service. The hearing loss claim was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria. The eye disorder claim remains pending due to insufficient information.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are not related to his active duty service, as there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service, as he reported experiencing ringing in his ears during and after service. The evidence is in equipoise regarding whether the current tinnitus disability began during active duty.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain a new VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The current examination provided in October 2012 was inadequate as it did not consider relevant evidence of record, including the Veteran's lay statements about noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to in-service noise exposure, including combat-related acoustic trauma. The Board grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lung disability was not incurred during active duty service and is not related to presumed exposure to Agent Orange or any other exposure. As such, service connection for a lung disability is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to address the Veteran's headache disorder and its relationship to his service-connected ear disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, right shoulder disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder were denied. The claim for a compensable rating for residuals of a right fourth metacarpal fracture was also denied. Service connection was granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include major depressive disorder and an adjustment disorder).