Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's tinnitus was incurred in or caused by military service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have started during his military service and the Board finds that it is at least as likely as not related to noise exposure in service. As such, the claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral flat feet, and lung disability (COPD) were not incurred in or related to service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA aid and attendance examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral tinnitus, which represents a full grant of this benefit sought on appeal. The Veteran's current right hip disorder is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his inability to attend a scheduled video conference hearing. He will be provided notice and an opportunity for another hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral tinnitus is causally related to his in-service acoustic trauma and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and need for a VA examination.

The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise on the question of a nexus between the Veteran's service and his current tinnitus. Therefore, service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, thus meeting the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are related to his active service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD contributed substantially and materially to his cause of death, leading to dementia. The Board finds that the evidence supports the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities meet the criteria for a TDIU, as his PTSD and cervical strain with degenerative disc and joint disease prevent him from engaging in any type of substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for a new VA medical opinion regarding whether these conditions were caused by noise exposure during his active service.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU beginning on December 6, 2006 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU beginning on and after November 30, 2015 is moot as it would be a duplication of the existing disability picture.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, including exposure to loud noise during his duties as an aircraft mechanic. As a result, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus was shown in service and has continued to manifest during the appeal period, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and an addendum medical opinion. The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being reviewed.