Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as his service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities, but the hypertension claim remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence being added since the last supplemental statement of the case, and the Veteran waived consideration of this evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and higher initial ratings for bilateral plantar fasciitis are remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to his in-service noise exposure as a sonar technician, and service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss remains pending as there are conflicting opinions regarding its etiology.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent disabling, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be related to his active service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The Board also finds that the Veteran has a current right knee disorder that is less likely than not caused by or related to an injury in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of tinnitus and his hearing loss is not related to service. Therefore, he cannot be granted service connection for either condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not have their clinical onset in service, are not otherwise related to active duty, and were not exhibited within the first post-service year. Therefore, the criteria for establishing service connection have not been met.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are due to acoustic trauma incurred in service.

The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, which are causally related to his military service. Therefore, the claims for service connection for these conditions are granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding his hearing loss and tinnitus. The case is now pending for further development.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The claims for bilateral hearing disability, respiratory disorder, and lower back disability are remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus and right elbow disability are service-connected, but his bilateral hearing loss is not. The Veteran received a compensable rating for his right elbow.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be related to service exposure, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to technical issues with the November 2015 Board videoconference hearing. The case will be scheduled for a new Board videoconference hearing at the appropriate RO.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the Veteran's claims can be decided, including obtaining legible copies of service medical records and a VA examination for diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, but the knee disability is not. The case is being remanded for an addendum opinion regarding the knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing appropriate notice.