Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his exposure to loud noise during service, and thus grants the claims for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cardiac disability, right elbow disability, tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disability (including a phase of life problem, adjustment disorder, anxiety, and depression), sleep apnea, chronic fatigue, rhinitis, and carpal tunnel syndrome. The rating for hemorrhoids was also denied.

The Board has found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are etiologically related to his military service, granting his claims for these conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to service and the Board finds that competent, credible, and probative evidence establishes that tinnitus is etiologically related to the Veteran's active service. The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, residuals of an ear infection, and a bilateral eye disorder are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied as the criteria do not meet the requirements for a higher rating under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have its onset in service and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The left and right knee disorders are not currently linked to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to have started during service and continue to this day, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities resulted in a need for higher level of care, including aid and attendance. The Board granted the claim for SMC based on the need for such care.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA examination to assess his service-connected PTSD. A supplemental medical opinion is also needed regarding the relationship between his hearing loss and tinnitus and in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have had its onset during service and has continued since discharge, thus meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus. The claims will be readjudicated after this is done.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The issues of increased ratings for ulcerative colitis with sclerosing cholangitis and esophageal varices and portal hypertension are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are the result of noise exposure during his active duty, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have manifested in service and is attributable to service, thus the Board granted service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, left hemiparesis due to stroke, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD). The Board found no current disability for these conditions and insufficient evidence of a link between any diagnosed condition and active duty service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus. The claims are therefore denied.

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

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the request of the appellant.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.