Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2016

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

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not caused by or aggravated by his military service, as evidenced by normal hearing at entry and separation from service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran wishes to withdraw his claim for an increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss. The claims of service connection for sinusitis, migraine headaches, acquired psychiatric disability (to include major depressive disorder), and skin cancer have been denied as there is no current diagnosis or evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected condition. The TDIU claim has also been denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to outstanding records and issues related to service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, including hearing loss and tinnitus. The remaining issues are denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss disability were found to have onset during service, with subsequent manifestations. The claims for these conditions are therefore granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of his hearing loss and tinnitus. The psychiatric issue remains inextricably intertwined with the hearing loss claim.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work, including side-effects from narcotic pain medications.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss have been rated at the maximum schedular rating available under applicable criteria. The Board denied a higher initial rating for his tinnitus, but found that the current evaluation of 30 percent is adequate to evaluate his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, as there is no evidence of noise exposure during service and current hearing loss and tinnitus were first reported decades after service.,The Veteran does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status due to his nonservice-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is being remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its etiology. The Board acknowledges in-service noise exposure but requires a supplemental opinion from the VA examiner.

The Board finds that the overpayment of educational assistance benefits in the amount of $5259.00 is invalid due to VA's administrative error and grants the Veteran's request for waiver of this overpayment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have service connection for bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus, as these conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his active or reserve service.

The Board finds that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for bilateral knee disability, bruxism (TMJ), migraine/headaches, tinnitus, and a gastrointestinal (GI) disability as they are related to his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's reported symptoms are related to his military service. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability within one year post-service and no in-service noise exposure leading to permanent threshold shift.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for tinnitus has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, but these issues are being remanded to obtain additional medical evidence.