Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, osteoarthritis of the right knee, and osteoarthritis of the left knee are not ripe for appellate disposition. The Veteran's claim for service connection for right spermatocele is also remanded due to a lack of an SOC.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to insufficient development of the record, particularly regarding when these conditions were first manifested postservice. The Board will seek additional evidence from the Veteran and arrange for an audiological evaluation to determine the etiology of his hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to his in-service exposure to noise, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of tinnitus, so the Board has dismissed this matter.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to new evidence received since the last denial. However, the Veteran's current hearing loss is not related to his military service.,Service connection was granted for tinnitus but denied for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's tinnitus was at least as likely as not incurred during his active service, and the Board granted service connection for tinnitus based on direct evidence of in-service noise exposure.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus during service and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection based on direct service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD has been denied as there is no legal basis to award a higher evaluation. The maximum schedular rating of 70 percent has been assigned since September 4, 2008.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment consistent with his education, training and work experience. The Board finds the Veteran experienced symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea during service and that his current sleep apnea condition has been determined to be related to sleep issues suffered in service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of in-service noise exposure or chronic conditions. Service connection was granted for bunions of the feet.,Service connection was granted for tinnitus based on in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus and sinus condition are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his VA treatment records, including audiograms. His hearing loss claim is also being remanded as he requested a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied. The Board found that there was no credible supporting evidence of the claimed stressors and no current diagnosis of PTSD. For bilateral pes planus, the Board noted that the disability existed prior to active duty and did not worsen during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty regarding the type of active duty performed by the appellant during his National Guard service, and whether it qualifies as active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty for training. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development.

Service connection for tinnitus and ischemic heart disease has been granted.,The Veteran's tinnitus is presumed to be related to service exposure, while his ischemic heart disease is assigned a 100% disability rating.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is service-connected. The Board finds that the Veteran did not have a right or left hearing loss 'disability' which existed prior to service, and the Veteran was found to have a right and left hearing loss disability per VA standards during service as demonstrated by May 1966 audiometric readings. As such, the Veteran is entitled to service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not a result of his in-service noise exposure, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, including exposure to noise from jet engines. As a result, he is granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are etiologically related to his service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran. Therefore, service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, as they were first experienced during service. The evidence shows current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, with no standard threshold shift in either ear at separation from service.

The Board has determined that the claims file is incomplete and requires additional service treatment records, specifically a missing separation examination from active service. The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded for further development.