Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2017

The Veteran is granted service connection for tinnitus and his claim for TDIU is denied as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected due to in-service noise exposure. However, his hypertension, GERD, urinary disorder, headaches, nosebleeds, and short-term memory loss are not service-connected as they did not manifest during or soon after service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his service-connected right ear hearing loss. Service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are granted, but malaria is not found to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by service, including noise exposure during active duty.

The Board has determined that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's current bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are etiologically related to service, including noise exposure during active duty. As such, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 20 percent, and his obstructive sleep apnea with asthma is rated at 50 percent. The combined rating for these conditions is 70 percent, meeting the criteria for TDIU. However, the Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing key documents, including a VA-Form 21-4138 submitted in September 2009 by the Veteran's treating physician. The effective date for service connection of tinnitus is still pending as the necessary evidence is not available.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, as they did not manifest within one year of separation from active duty.,The Veteran has a current lung disability (Interstitial Lung Disease - Asbestosis) that is related to post-service asbestos exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to his service, with reasonable doubt being resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current diagnosis of tinnitus was incurred during active service, and thus grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to service, and the Board finds that his tinnitus should be considered service-connected.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to service, with the Board granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, including in-service noise exposure. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected as his service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute substantially to his death. The Appellant is therefore denied DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his service, including exposure to noise from operating aircraft. The Board finds the evidence in equipoise as to whether the Veteran has experienced these conditions since service.

The Board has determined that there is at least an approximately balance of positive and negative evidence regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his ACDUTRA service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for vertigo as secondary to his service-connected tinnitus. The Board has determined that additional development is needed, specifically addressing the issue of aggravation.

The Board has determined that service connection should be granted for sleep apnea, but not for bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for tinnitus, which is considered a direct result of his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the medical opinions and need for additional examination.