Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The other issues are not addressed due to lack of evidence or further development needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is causally related to noise exposure during active service, and therefore grants entitlement to service connection for tinnitus. The issue of bilateral hearing loss remains pending as it was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 2, 2015, for the payment of dependency allowance for his spouse was denied because he did not meet the requirement of having a combined disability rating of 30 percent or greater at that time. The issue of entitlement to a concurrent retirement and VA disability payment in an amount greater than $3,211.39 is remanded due to lack of proper notice.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to incomplete medical records, particularly those from 2009-2011. A VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a kidney condition due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, tendonitis of the right thumb, and increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were denied. The Veteran's claim for TDIU was not addressed in this decision.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's eye disorder and hernia disorder are being remanded for further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest during military service, are not related to service, and have no connection with his military service. As such, the claims for service connection for these conditions are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment as of April 29, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to address the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, with a finding of direct service connection.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during his service and granted service connection for this condition. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's bilateral tinnitus had onset in service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The Veteran is also found to be unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, leading to a grant of TDIU.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his period of service, as there was no indication of damage to his peripheral auditory system at discharge. The VA examinations did not establish a link between the Veteran's symptoms and military noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Appellant's claim for status as a Veteran for VA purposes, specifically regarding bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, needs further development. The case is being remanded to obtain additional information from the Appellant's service personnel records and relevant medical records. A VA addendum opinion will also be obtained to determine whether the Appellant's current hearing loss and tinnitus were incurred in the line of duty during active duty for training or inactive duty for training.

The Veteran's lower back, left elbow, and tinnitus disabilities have been granted service connection. The initial ratings for these conditions are each set at 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the remaining claims are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or continuity of symptomatology since separation from service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment since March 14, 2012.