Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to address the etiology of his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for hair loss, joint pain (reopened), rash, back disability, STD, sleep apnea secondary to PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's symptoms of these conditions are found to be related to his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus, finding that his current tinnitus had its onset during his active duty service. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to incomplete information in the VA examination report.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his military service, specifically the high noise levels he experienced while serving in the Army Reserve. As a result, service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate examination reports, lack of consideration of delayed-onset conditions, and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a pre-existing condition aggravated by service. The VA audiological examinations did not show any significant hearing loss within one year post-service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be incurred in service due to noise exposure. The claim for a compensable rating for hemorrhoids remains pending.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, with the conditions found to be directly related to his military service. His ankle and foot disabilities are also considered service-connected.,Service connection is established for bilateral hearing loss due to noise exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's PTSD and tinnitus were rated at 70% effective May 9, 2011. The TDIU was granted from that date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation from September 22, 2011 to February 10, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance/housebound status.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected, as there is no current disability for VA compensation purposes. However, the Veteran's assertions of in-service noise exposure and continuity of symptoms since service have been found credible.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, with a finding of continuity of symptoms from service. Therefore, service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for right finger posttraumatic degenerative joint disease was denied as the evidence did not support a compensable evaluation.,Service connection for hypertension and bilateral hearing loss were both denied due to lack of in-service onset or continuity of symptomatology. Service connection for tinnitus was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for traumatic brain injury, tinnitus, and prostate cancer have been denied as there is no evidence of a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. However, it denied these claims as there was no evidence linking the conditions to military service.

The Veteran's current tinnitus is at least as likely as not the result of an in-service event or injury, and the Board finds that the Veteran's statements are competent and credible. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is also found to be related to service due to noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and hypertension were denied, while his claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was also denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or a nexus to service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.