Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as the evidence does not support a rating in excess of the current assigned ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as he did not meet the criteria for a current disability. The TDIU claim was granted based on his combined schedular rating of 70% due to multiple disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and found that the Veteran's current hearing loss is at least as likely as not caused by or a result of military noise exposure. The Veteran's other claims regarding his fragment wounds have been remanded due to the need for additional examination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of his liver disorder, which may be related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for cancer of the tonsils and remanded the case for further development, including obtaining employment records from his police and sheriff positions.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate and requires further development to determine if the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's respiratory disorder claim is remanded as it requires additional examination.

The Veteran's current tinnitus was found to be related to service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition. The issues of bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus had its onset in active service and is presumed to have been caused by exposure to loud noise during military service. The heart condition claim, presumptively related to herbicide exposure, has also been granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in the VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus. Additional examination is required.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an addendum opinion regarding his tinnitus and respiratory disability.

The Board has determined that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to in-service noise exposure, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate January 2013 VA medical opinion and a need for a new opinion regarding whether the appellant's tinnitus is related to his ACDUTRA service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, as there is no evidence of chronic symptoms during or within one year after service. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.,For the effective date claim, the Board found that prior to January 24, 2009, the Veteran's left shoulder injury with degenerative changes did not meet the criteria for a 30 percent disability rating.

The Board finds that the Veteran's tinnitus began during service and has existed since then, meeting the criteria for service connection. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding its etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, thus his claim for a TDIU is denied.