Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance of another person or being housebound.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, hepatitis C, and degenerative joint disease of the neck were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a finding of in-service injury or aggravation leading to these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful employment prior to December 15, 2006.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability or a relationship to service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability for VA purposes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus began in service and is related to his military noise exposure, granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA eligibility were awarded effective February 17, 2007. The Board found that an earlier effective date was not warranted due to the Veteran's continued employment until February 16, 2007.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus did not have a direct relationship to his military service, as there was no evidence of hearing problems during or immediately after service. The Board also noted that the current diagnoses were not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is not related to his military service or his service-connected hearing loss, and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, sleep apnea, and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, are found to be so severe that they prevent him from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic stress disorder, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, and residuals of a fracture of the pelvis with degenerative joint disease left hip, precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and work background since June 21, 2012.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's current conditions are found to be related to his military service.

Your claims for service connection are being remanded to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further action. Specifically, you need to be scheduled for a videoconference hearing before a Board Member at your local RO.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied the remaining issues due to lack of evidence or clear and unmistakable evidence of preexisting conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a chronic condition during service. The VA examiner concluded that the most likely etiologies for the Veteran's hearing loss were recreational noise exposure (hunting) and age-related factors.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his in-service noise exposure, and he has bilateral hearing loss that likely stems from service. The headache disorder is not shown to have preexisted service or to be otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus as likely as not began during service and is granted. The issue of an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, remains pending.