Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities on his employability and referral for extraschedular TDIU consideration.

The Veteran is seeking TDIU based on service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case has been remanded to obtain a VA examination, determine the impact of these conditions on employment, and consider an extraschedular rating if necessary.

The Board has determined that there is at least an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding the Veteran's tinnitus, and thus grants service connection for this condition. Regarding bilateral hearing loss disability, a new VA examination is required to determine if it was caused or aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin cancer is secondary to in-service radiation exposure and granted service connection.,The Board has also determined that the Veteran's tinnitus was initially manifested during service and granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, hypertension, tinnitus, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD are denied as there is no evidence of a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's chronic headaches are rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of claim. The Board denied service connection for residuals of TBI and bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo, and depression.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and increased the rating for anxiety disorder with PTSD to 70 percent. The Veteran's claims for other conditions remain pending.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran experienced continuous symptoms of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus since his active service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to his in-service stressor, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The issues of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a current disability, and the Board found that his symptoms could be explained by other conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to service exposure, while obstructive sleep apnea is also found to be related to service. The claim for a higher initial rating for Parkinson's disease remains on appeal.

The Veteran's left leg radiculopathy is rated at 10 percent since October 22, 2009 and denied for an increased rating. The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is necessary to determine the relationship between the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus and his military service, including noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's late reported onset of ringing in his ears is related to noise exposure during military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus and costochondritis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms have been continuous since service.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 30 percent disabling.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, tinnitus, and bilateral pes planus. The Veteran is also awarded initial compensable ratings for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's assertions regarding the onset of his tinnitus and symptoms since service are credible. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to inadequate VA examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be etiologically related to his active duty service, and the Board grants service connection for these conditions.