Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2017

The Board denied an earlier effective date prior to August 18, 2010 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss was remanded and a VA examiner found that his left ear hearing loss is related to service, while his right ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a disability under VA regulations.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, while his hypertension is not due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability. The appeal was denied as there was no evidence of in-service disease or injury resulting in these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, including exposure to combat noise. As a result, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted with an initial disability rating of 10 percent. Service connection for lymphoma due to ionizing radiation exposure is granted. Bilateral hearing loss is service connected and rated at 0 percent. COPD is not service connected. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is not service connected.

The Veteran's tinnitus and hepatitis claims are granted. The PTSD claim is dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for tinnitus and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a reopening of the case.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back disorder, neck disorder, and TBI have been granted. The Board has broadened the claims to include consideration of various other diagnoses.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was denied. The Board found that the criteria for a rating higher than 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss were not met at any time during the appeal period, and no higher schedular evaluation is warranted.

The Veteran's PTSD, rated at 70 percent disabling, and tinnitus, rated at 10 percent disabling, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 16, 2015 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus is denied as there was no formal or informal claim submitted prior to this date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not have onset in active service, nor are they causally connected to active service. The preponderance of evidence shows that both conditions were not incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of in-service hearing loss or tinnitus. The VA examiner determined that it was less likely than not that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus were related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have current tinnitus and therefore cannot establish service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including headaches, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a right knee disability, were not incurred or aggravated during his active service. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral tinnitus is granted as his current diagnosis of tinnitus is found to be related to his active duty service.

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

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to be causally related to his active service. The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, left knee disability, allergies, and tinnitus have all been granted. The conditions are found to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip disability, bilateral foot disability, bilateral hand disability, hearing loss disability, and tinnitus are not supported by the evidence of record. The preponderance of the evidence is against these claims.