Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be the result of noise exposure during his military service, thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to appear at a scheduled Travel Board hearing and the need for issuance of a statement of the case regarding his tinnitus claim.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, PTSD, and hypertension as secondary to service-connected PTSD. Service connection for a gastric ulcer is also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, resulting in a grant of service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have started during service and is therefore granted service connection. The low back disability and sleep disorder claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA examinations and opinions to address the Veteran's tinnitus claim and his service-connected right foot, left hip, and right hip disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable or unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation for the period on appeal prior to February 26, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of a current disability during service or within one year after separation. The Veteran did not have a chronic hearing loss disability for VA purposes at any time during his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a supplemental opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's tinnitus and providing a VA medical opinion in regard to the claim for TDIU. The issues on appeal are related and must be addressed together.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and thus cannot be service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to service and granted service connection for this condition. The decision on bilateral hearing loss disability remains pending as it was addressed in a separate remand.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been evaluated at the maximum schedular rating available, so any higher ratings are not warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after service. The preponderance of the evidence supports a finding against these claims.

The Board has found that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's tinnitus was incurred in or due to his active duty. Service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, but has granted service connection for tinnitus as it had its onset in service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his in-service noise exposure. The claims were previously denied due to lack of evidence of a nexus between service and these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and hypertension. The Veteran's CAD, erectile dysfunction, and headaches are found to be related to his hypertension.

The Veteran's residuals of prostate cancer have been rated as a 20 percent disability since December 10, 2008. This rating is based on urinary frequency at night.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to care for his daily needs without requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person, nor has he been shown to be housebound. Therefore, the criteria for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance are not met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is not related to his military service, including as due to an in-service air gun inoculation. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are REMANDED.