Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2016

The March 1993 rating decision denying service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus is found to have committed clear and unmistakable error. The Veteran was entitled to a grant of service connection for these conditions, which would have been granted from at least the 10 year period prior to his death in July 2010.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are caused by or the result of in-service acoustic trauma. The issue of entitlement to a compensable evaluation for right ear hearing loss is being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus had onset during active service and has continued since then, granting service connection for this condition. The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is also granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his service, specifically the acoustic trauma he experienced while serving in active duty. As a result, the Board has granted entitlement to service connection for tinnitus.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are not related to his service, including as due to in-service noise exposure. The VA examiner concluded that these conditions are less likely than not related to service.

The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise and resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, granting service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is being remanded to obtain a VA audiological evaluation, as well as any relevant treatment records. The Veteran will be provided an opportunity to respond to the SSOC.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed disabilities, finding that there was no direct or secondary service connection based on evidence of record.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, rated at 70 percent disabling, has rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability. The claims for left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and lichen planus chronicus are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus is granted as the currently demonstrated tinnitus was caused by in-service exposure to excessive and harmful noise in connection with his duties.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's ringing in his ears began during service and continues to this day. Service connection was denied for residuals of pneumonia.

The Board found no evidence of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus during service and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection, concluding that his current conditions are not related to military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, including a request to reopen the June 1997 denial, is granted with an effective date of November 20, 1996.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as the evidence shows a current disability, in-service noise exposure, and continuity of symptomatology since service.,For purposes of treatment only, the Veteran's claim for dental trauma to tooth number 10 is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of tinnitus was granted, with a rating of 10% and effective from June 24, 2008. The decision is based on the reopening of his previously denied claim due to new evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no competent evidence linking these conditions to his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities of PTSD and tinnitus do not meet the criteria for a schedular TDIU, but his unemployability is granted due to the combined effect of these conditions since August 20, 2010.