Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for tinnitus was denied, and the claim for service connection for a jaw condition is pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining information about his employment history and a medical opinion regarding the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for various service connection claims, including those related to psychiatric disorders, hearing loss, arthritis, and dental conditions. The Board also remanded several issues for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded the claims due to inadequate medical opinions and further development is required.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus and granted service connection based on in-service acoustic trauma.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is at least as much evidence supporting these claims as against them.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied service connection for right knee disability as not related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are as likely related to his noise exposure during active duty, including in Vietnam. Therefore, service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are attributable to service, and therefore grants service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in physical or mental incapacity that prevents him from attending to the needs of nature, caring for himself, or protecting himself from the hazards of his environment. Further, the Veteran is not in receipt of a 100 percent schedular rating or in receipt of a total disability based on individual unemployability.

The Board has decided that the VA examiner's opinion regarding the service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is inadequate, and thus remands the case for an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed hearing loss, tinnitus, asthma, bilateral feet bone spurs with falling arches, and bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected as they did not manifest during his period of active service or within one year thereafter, and there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new evidence supports a causal relationship to in-service noise exposure. As such, these claims are granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military noise exposure. Service connection for headaches was also granted based on a link between the Veteran's in-service head injury and his current symptoms.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected as they are related to his in-service exposure to loud noise, which is conceded. The evidence shows a continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is sufficient evidence to establish a nexus between these conditions and in-service noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, left and right knee conditions, left and right hip conditions, a cervical spine condition, arthritis of multiple joints, and an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for the lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's claim for TDIU is denied.