Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to an audio malfunction during his September 2016 videoconference hearing. He was granted a service connection for right knee instability in July 2016 and that claim is not currently on appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to his in-service noise exposure. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was not addressed due to a lack of evidence.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be etiologically related to his in-service acoustic trauma, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and Meniere's disease have been denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his military service, including exposure to loud noises during his time in the U.S. Army.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his service-connected hearing loss and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a scheduling issue for his Board hearing. The issues of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus are still pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the Veteran's claims. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for his claimed conditions as they are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, including considering his exposure during service. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of a current disability during service or within one year after separation. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's current disabilities are not related to his period of service.

The Veteran's current tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are at least as likely as not related to his military service, with the Board granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and diabetic retinopathy were denied. The claim for a higher rating for diabetic retinopathy was also denied.

The Veteran's IVDS of the cervical spine with degenerative changes warrants a 60% rating, effective from May 1, 2014. His radiculopathy of the right upper extremity and left upper extremity do not warrant increased ratings. The Veteran is currently receiving the maximum schedular rating for his service-connected right sided tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination and medical nexus opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's erectile dysfunction. Service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his ear condition, whether it is related to service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound, as he is able to perform most daily activities with assistance when needed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including TBI and audiological examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as he does not meet the criteria for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current ear disabilities, including bilateral tympanic membrane perforations due to recurrent otorrhea and bilateral hearing loss, were not incurred or aggravated during active service. The evidence does not support a finding of aggravation beyond its natural progression.