Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active service and granted service connection for this condition. The issue of bilateral hearing loss disability remains pending as it was not addressed in the decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of sufficient severity to preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted for tinnitus, prostate cancer, skin cancer, respiratory impairment (emphysema), heart disability (coronary artery disease), hypertension, or systemic arthritis.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be incurred in service, as his MOS was field artillery and he was exposed to significant acoustic trauma during active duty. The Board granted the claim of service connection for tinnitus.

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

The Veteran's service-connected ischemic heart disease, tinnitus, and bilateral high frequency hearing loss do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the VA contract audiologist's opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is inadequate, and further medical review is needed to resolve these claims on appeal.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling VA examinations for the Veteran's claimed disabilities. The case will be remanded to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are service-connected, as they are related to his in-service exposure to acoustic trauma.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and recurrent tinnitus are service-connected as they are related to his in-service exposure to noise.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses at Cripple Creek Rehabilitation Center from April 18, 2013 to April 25, 2013 and from April 29, 2013 to May 11, 2013 are now covered by VA as the services were rendered in a medical emergency of such nature that delay would have been hazardous to life or health.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his in-service noise exposure and finds that service connection for tinnitus should be granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability or tinnitus due to service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, but have been granted as direct service connection based on credible lay testimony of in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal of kidney cancer service connection was dismissed due to withdrawal. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were found to be incurred as a result of service.

The Board finds that there is a relative balance of evidence for and against causation of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss by National Guard noise exposure, warranting service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and coronary artery disease (CAD) due to presumed exposure to herbicides during service in Vietnam.

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

The Veteran is granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as these conditions are found to be related to military noise exposure. Service connection for gallbladder cancer is also granted.