Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the case due to an incomplete factual premise in a previous opinion, and further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's left ear sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be related to his active service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is less than the schedular percentage requirements for a TDIU, and his service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bronchitis, diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, and peripheral neuropathy, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that he meets the criteria for TDIU due to his combined rating of 80 percent.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran is also granted service connection for tinnitus as it was incurred in active service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is at least a 50% likelihood (equipoise) that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is as likely as not attributable to his active military service, and therefore grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to determine the nature and etiology of any hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as to obtain outstanding VA treatment records. The case is therefore being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's tinnitus and low back disability are found to have had their onset during service, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim requires further development due to the possibility of secondary service connection based on his service-connected disabilities. A new VA opinion is needed to address whether the tinnitus is caused or aggravated by treatment for his service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability. The tinnitus is related to noise exposure during ACDUTRA in the Naval Reserve, while the hearing loss does not appear to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected conditions, and thus grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. The claim for accrued benefits is denied as there were no pending claims at the time of the Veteran's death. The Appellant's request for entitlement to a death pension is remanded due to the conflict in determining whether the Veteran's death was service-connected or not.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of bilateral tinnitus was not incurred in service and is unrelated to his military noise exposure. The claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU and his service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation as of August 29, 2010.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for a back disability and found no new and material evidence. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were also denied, as there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The effective date for service connection for a left shoulder disability remains September 12, 2013.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to schedule a travel Board hearing. The AOJ should confirm the Veteran's current address and reschedule the hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses for bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions. The Veteran's claims for a foot disability are also denied.