Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of a chronic disability of the left eye, tinnitus, or an acquired psychiatric disability that was incurred in or aggravated by active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear tinnitus is related to service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The claim for bilateral hearing loss disability remains pending.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and erectile dysfunction. The decision is based on direct service connection as there was no evidence of a presumptive exposure or secondary service connection due to diabetes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are service-connected, with the exception of the issue regarding bilateral hearing loss which is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing at the RO. The issues of service connection for tinnitus and vitiligo are still pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities combine to render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and his TDIU claim is granted from January 12, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for tinnitus and hearing loss, as well as TDIU prior to May 26, 2009, was denied. The Board found that the current schedular rating criteria adequately considered his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes and his tinnitus is not related to service. Therefore, both claims are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a video hearing. Service connection claims for right knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss disorder, and tinnitus are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service acoustic trauma, thus granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The current evidence is inadequate, and a new examination is required.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since February 1, 2015.

The Board found no evidence of diagnosed bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus, and thus denied service connection for these conditions. The Veteran's inaction regarding a claim for his bilateral hearing loss is considered.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, right hip condition, and low back condition due to new evidence. The Veteran's alcohol abuse claim is denied as it is not a secondary result of an organic disease or disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, but there is no current evidence of a bilateral hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulations.

The Veteran's current tinnitus is at least as likely as not the result of an in-service event or injury, and service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's current tinnitus began during active service and the Board has determined that it is related to his in-service noise exposure. Service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's current tinnitus is found to be related to service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The claim for bilateral hearing loss remains pending as it has not been adjudicated yet.