Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The issue of service connection for a psychiatric disability, claimed as secondary to service-connected disease or injury, is referred to the AOJ.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected and secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disability.,An effective date of July 17, 2007, is granted for the grant of service connection for hypertension. The Veteran's hypertension requires continuous medication but does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain updated VA treatment records and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, and DDD, lumbar spine.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to acoustic trauma from combat operations in Vietnam, and the Board finds that service connection for this condition is granted.

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

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of service records showing any period of service at Camp Shelby, where the Veteran reported his hearing loss and tinnitus began. The case is now pending for further investigation.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate prior VA audiological examinations and the Veteran's inability to attend an examination. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, and tinnitus did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to August 26, 2015.

The Board has remanded the claims due to incomplete records and procedural issues, including a lack of notice on how to substantiate a claim under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest during service or within one year of discharge, and are not causally related to any disease, injury, or incident in service. Therefore, his claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is likely related to noise exposure in service.,The Veteran's tinnitus is likely the result of noise exposure in service or his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to scheduling issues and the need for a Board hearing.

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

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities were denied increased ratings. The claim for hepatitis C disability was not reopened, and the Veteran does not have a TBI.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his military service, specifically the noise exposure he experienced while serving on a Navy ship. Service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of a nexus between his in-service noise exposure and his current conditions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and service-connected tinnitus are not related, but a new examination is needed to clarify this relationship.

The Veteran's combined rating for service connected disabilities was sufficient to meet the criteria for a TDIU as of May 14, 2010. The Board found that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and denied an initial disability rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD prior to August 11, 2014.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU and his service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.