Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral pes planus are related to his active service. The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral leg disability (other than pes planus) is also related to his service, particularly when resolving the benefit of the doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, and left knee injury with degenerative joint disease and a torn ligament, meet the percentage requirements for TDIU prior to July 18, 2012. The Board grants TDIU based on these service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not have a direct link to his service, as there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or continuous symptomatology since service. The VA examiners determined that the Veteran's hearing loss is more likely due to presbycusis (age-related hearing loss) rather than noise-induced hearing loss, and denied service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the relationship between her current disabilities and her military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (hearing loss, PTSD, and tinnitus) do not interfere with his current employment as a fraud investigator. The Board finds that the statutory requirements for entitlement to Chapter 31 benefits have not been met because the claimant is not in need of rehabilitation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and a left ankle disorder, finding that there was no nexus between current symptoms of tinnitus and in-service noise exposure. The left ankle disorder was found to be related to his service-connected left heel disability.

The Veteran's appeal was denied. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and tinnitus were addressed. The reduction in the rating for hearing loss from 50% to 20% was found to be proper.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to appear at a scheduled videoconference hearing. The case will be returned for further action.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus, specifically related to noise exposure during active duty and reserve service. The AOJ is instructed to obtain relevant Reserve service records and provide an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and consideration of new evidence, including a September 2014 private audiogram and medical opinion. The issues on appeal include service connection for tinnitus and a higher initial disability rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus is causally related to military service and grants his claim for service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings for a painful laceration on the top of the head, tinnitus, and depressive disorder with PTSD, and service connection for headaches prior to certification of the appeal to the Board. The claim for an initial compensable rating for oligozoospermia is pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional opinions from an otolaryngologist regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus. The claims will be readjudicated after obtaining any necessary information.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, with the exception of right ear hearing loss which is not currently at issue. As such, both conditions have been granted service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is etiologically related to his active service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The issue of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea and depression NOS had their onset in service and are therefore granted service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, joint pain, fatigue (manifested by a disability), and skin condition are all granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with all doubts resolved in favor of the Veteran. As a result, both conditions have been granted service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were received in May 2012, prior to August 1, 2013. The Board finds that the earlier effective date of June 1, 2012 is warranted based on the submission of a fully developed claim form indicating intent to apply for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person, effective April 6, 2016.