Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence now shows current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus has been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as these conditions are found to be related to his military service. The decision also notes that there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure resulting in a current diagnosis of hearing loss.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus did not originate during her active duty service and denied her claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is not related to his active service, and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral tinnitus disability is a result of noise exposure during his active duty service, and thus grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with continuous symptoms since separation. The criteria for service connection have been met.

The case is being remanded for additional development to obtain relevant medical records and provide supplemental opinions regarding the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have been incurred in service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, specifically his exposure to noise during active duty. The claim for tinnitus is granted as it meets the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for tinnitus, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable since August 25, 2010.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and hepatitis C, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are currently evaluated at the minimum schedular rating of 10 percent. The Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted as there is no evidence to support an increase in disability level beyond what is already reflected by the current evaluations. For TDIU, the Veteran does not meet the criteria due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following any substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran experienced continuous symptoms of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus since his active service. Therefore, the criteria for service connection are met.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to in-service noise exposure and service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is not related to service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for a supplemental VA opinion to address whether the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are etiologically related to in-service noise exposure.