Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is found to be related to service, and the claim for service connection is granted. The issue of an initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss will be remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus. However, the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for either condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus cannot be granted as there is no evidence of a current disability, or a relationship between any such disabilities and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and need for a new VA audiological examination. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being reviewed.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus is incurred during military service and granted service connection for this condition. The left leg disability, including a left knee disability, remains on appeal as there is no clear evidence of its onset or relationship to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of these conditions during his military service. The Board also found that the current manifestations are not related to service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for gall bladder disorder, lung disease, lipoma, ulcer, prostate cancer, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and PTSD), and tinnitus have been granted. The decision is based on direct service connection due to the Veteran's credible reports of symptom onset within one year post-service.

The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise on whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, including noise exposure during combat. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for right total knee replacement and service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a grant of an increased rating or service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted TDIU for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been granted service connection as they are found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding effective dates for service-connected chronic lumbar strain and spondylosis, as well as tinnitus.

The Veteran requested withdrawal of their appeals regarding earlier effective dates for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Board has dismissed the appeals as a result.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, PTSD with alcohol dependence, and peripheral vascular disease, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to have caused his death. Effective dates for the awards of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a residual scar are denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss disabilities are currently rated at the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent. The Board finds no legal basis for a higher rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has received a request from the appellant for withdrawal of their appeal, and thus the appeal is dismissed.