Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2017

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and ALS, but denied hearing loss.,Service connection is established for tinnitus due to noise exposure during active duty training (ACDUTRA).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a current disability, and thus denied this issue.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, with the hearing loss being attributed to in-service noise exposure. The tinnitus is considered secondary to the service-connected hearing loss.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus. The appeal related to a lower back condition was withdrawn by the Veteran during his hearing.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be etiologically related to service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The right knee disability issue remains pending as a remand has been ordered.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied. The Board found no evidence of a chronic disability during or within one year after service, and the VA examiner opined that the current disabilities are not related to active duty service.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral hearing loss did not worsen during service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. Insomnia and headaches were not continuous or recurrent in service or since separation; tinnitus was not diagnosed within one year of separation from service; and there is no medical nexus between the current insomnia, headaches, or tinnitus and either active service or a service-connected disability.,The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss. The preexisting left ear hearing loss at enlistment was not permanently worsened by active service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a thoracolumbar disability, but remanded to obtain additional development. The claims for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, right shin splints, left shin splints, and left knee injury are also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus began in and has persisted since active service. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus has been granted. The Board found that the Veteran had a confirmed in-service stressor related to his motor vehicle accident and was diagnosed with PTSD. As such, service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his DVTs and CVA, necessitate the need for aid and attendance assistance. The Board grants SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as it is cumulative or does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's tinnitus and rhinitis claims.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for this condition.,The Board has determined that the Veteran meets the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's cervical spine DJD and tinnitus were denied higher initial ratings.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his back and cervical spine conditions, require regular aid and attendance of another person. As a result, the criteria for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance are met.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of those related to urinary incontinence and residuals of TBI. The remaining conditions are found to be directly related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.