Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus may be related to his service-connected chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, but an addendum opinion is needed to determine the extent of any secondary relationship.

The Veteran's claim for Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) prior to November 17, 2014 is denied as he did not meet the percentage threshold requirement for TDIU and there was no evidence that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is service connected as it manifested within one year of separation from service and is related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to service, as there is relative equipoise of evidence supporting this claim. However, the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that his tinnitus is related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining additional medical records. The Veteran's tinnitus claim will be reviewed again based on this new information.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are found to be related to his active service, resulting in a grant of service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are related to his active service, resolving all doubts in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case is REMANDED to obtain an addendum opinion from a VA audiologist regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current hearing problems and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied in the May 2009 rating decision. The Board has reopened these claims based on new evidence, but has determined that there is no current diagnosis of hearing loss or nexus between hearing loss and military service. As a result, the claims are denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding new and material evidence. The Veteran's tinnitus is presumed to have been incurred in service due to noise exposure during active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to service, including exposure to noise during his military service. As such, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board denied all claims, including those for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, and organic diseases of the nervous system (other than already service-connected tinnitus and sensorineural hearing loss). The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to a service-connected disability was also denied. No effective date earlier than May 29, 2013 for SMC benefits is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II was denied in September 2010 and not reopened. The evidence received since that decision does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for gastroparesis with chronic stomach pain (stomach condition) was reopened due to new evidence showing a positive relationship between the condition and sarcoidosis, which is already service-connected. The claim remains denied as there is no direct service connection.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the September 2004 rating decisions denying service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his exposure to acoustic trauma during his active duty service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as a direct result of in-service noise exposure, with no presumption or secondary theory applied.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for service connection of various conditions, including PTSD. The initial rating for PTSD prior to April 30, 2009, and on and after December 1, 2009, was also denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's requests to reopen his claims for service connection for various disabilities, including psychiatric disability, cervical spine disability, diabetic neuropathy, urinary incontinence, spinal stenosis, stomach hernia, ischemic heart disease, tinnitus, and erectile dysfunction (ED).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, tinnitus, and traumatic brain injury, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.