Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete medical opinions and further development is required.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's leg disability is considered secondary to a service-connected back disability and claimed diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's tinnitus was first manifested during service and is related to in-service acoustic trauma. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether the tinnitus is related to service, thus granting service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and verifying herbicide exposure. VA examinations are also required to address the claims.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD was withdrawn. The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence supported these claims.

The Veteran's tinnitus is presumed to have been incurred in service due to noise exposure during deployment.,Regarding the left carpal tunnel syndrome and numbness, the appeal remains pending as additional evidence and medical opinions are needed. The Veteran has not provided sufficient evidence or credible testimony to establish a direct link between his current condition and military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, or bilateral ear disability. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the impact of his service-connected conditions on his ability to work.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease (IHD) is rated at 100% since March 4, 2011. The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a TDIU rating as his PTSD does not render him unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claim for service connection of tinnitus is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and the need for additional medical opinions. The Veteran's periods of active duty are unclear, and his hearing loss and tinnitus may be related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus and granted it, finding that there is sufficient evidence to support a link between his in-service noise exposure and current tinnitus symptoms.

The Veteran is prevented from securing and following substantially gainful employment as a result of his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD. The Board finds that the evidence supports that he suffers severe PTSD symptoms which prevent him from obtaining employment outside of his home.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to her service, including noise exposure during service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service onset or chronicity of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a diagnosis within one year of separation. The Veteran's reports of onset after service do not support a finding of service connection.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to a withdrawal request from the appellant.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a videoconference hearing on all issues currently on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his military service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, including noise exposure during his time as a helicopter pilot. As such, the claims for service connection have been granted.