Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2017

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions. The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus will be reviewed again with new evidence and expert opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations and development due to issues with scheduling at his prison facility.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are as likely as not attributable to service, resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right hip disability, finding that it is caused by his service-connected left knee disability. The appeal regarding tinnitus was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the issuance of a final decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left orchiectomy (left testicle injury), prostate disorder, bladder disorder, heart disease, and hypertension have been denied. The VA examiner found no evidence of a current disability related to these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment throughout the appeal period, except for a brief period when he was assigned a combined disability rating of 100 percent. The effective date for the TDIU is January 16, 2015.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining records from Dr. Hoeper and scheduling a VA examination to assess the functional effects of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Veteran's tinnitus was related to his active duty service and granted service connection.

The Veteran is entitled to specially adapted housing due to multiple disabilities, including the loss or loss of use of one lower extremity together with residuals of organic disease or injury that so affect the functions of balance or propulsion as to preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair. The special home adaptation grant claim is moot.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no credible evidence of in-service noise exposure. The VA examiner opined that the current hearing loss and tinnitus are more likely due to postservice occupational noise exposure.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including generalized anxiety disorder, major depression, and PTSD, is now reopened for consideration.,Bilateral hearing loss is not service connected due to lack of evidence showing a current disability within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability is granted as the evidence shows exposure to acoustic trauma during service and current symptoms. Service connection for tinnitus is denied as there are no current symptoms reported by the Veteran.

The Board found that the Veteran's otosclerosis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were not service-connected as they did not meet the criteria for service connection. The evidence showed no in-service aggravation or additional injury to these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected, but there is no evidence of tinnitus during or after service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by his active military service, including conceded in-service noise exposure. The VA examiner concluded that the current conditions are less likely as not related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting left ear hearing loss disability did not worsen during service and denied his claim for service connection. The Board also found no right ear hearing loss disability or tinnitus related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and chronic tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his military service. The Board also noted that the Veteran did not have a hearing loss disability for VA purposes at any time.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus as secondary to her service-connected right tympanic membrane perforation, finding that there is no nexus between the current disability and either active service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that further development is needed, including obtaining new VA examinations and retrieving any outstanding medical treatment records. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left ear hearing loss, service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus of the right ear, and service connection for a bilateral knee disability are being remanded.