Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2017

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus, head injury residuals, kidney infection residuals, and frostbite of the feet did not have their onset in service or are otherwise related to service. As a result, the claims for these conditions were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as he is currently employed full-time and does not have one disability rated at least 60% or a combined rating of at least 70%. The Board finds that his employment does not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's combined disability rating of 70 percent, including his service-connected diabetes mellitus and diabetic retinopathy, met the schedular criteria for a TDIU effective February 11, 2004. The issue is now moot as of April 20, 2016 when the Veteran's combined disability rating reached 100 percent.

The Board has granted the Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen his previously denied claim. The Veteran is now entitled to a disability rating for this condition.,However, the Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for bilateral deafness remains denied as there is no evidence showing that the current 30 percent rating is inadequate.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, requesting the severance of service connection for tinnitus to be dismissed.

The Veteran's tinnitus was incurred in service and is granted. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that his preexisting hearing loss did not worsen during service and there is no evidence of noise exposure in service. The Board also found insufficient medical evidence to establish a link between his current tinnitus and service.

The Veteran is granted service connection for tinnitus, as it is likely related to his military service. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied due to the lack of a disability level recognized by VA standards.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of hearing loss or tinnitus, and therefore, his claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition began during active duty. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of a current disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service noise exposure or chronic symptoms, leading to denial.

The Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during service and the Board finds that direct service connection is warranted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence has been received. The Board also finds that these conditions are related to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of onset or continuity of symptoms during or immediately following service. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran did not acquire a noise-induced hearing loss sufficient to draw a nexus to his current hearing loss.

The Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus is granted as his tinnitus had onset within one year of separation from active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus did not have its onset during service and is not related to any incident of service, including in-service noise exposure. The preponderance of evidence is against the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, including obtaining additional evidence and an examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an opinion on the impact of all service-connected disabilities on the Veteran's ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The TDIU issue is also being addressed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional evidence and for a VA examination. The issues of service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, right knee disorder, and right ankle disorder are on appeal.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. The claim for a higher rating for left thumb disability was remanded, and TDIU benefits were denied.