Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service. The Veteran did not have a hearing loss disability during service or within one year after separation from service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there was no evidence of a significant threshold shift in either ear during service. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied, while the claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient rationale in previous VA examination opinions regarding the Veteran's employability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hip replacements and DJD of the lumbar and cervical spine, render him in need of regular aid and attendance. The Board grants SMC based on the need for aid and assistance.

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the percentage standards for a TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a). However, given his vocational opinion and testimony indicating he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, the Board has determined that extraschedular consideration may be warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, resulting in a grant of service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected right carpal tunnel syndrome, tinnitus, and PTSD have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his disabilities. The Board has granted a TDIU effective October 7, 2008.

The Veteran has current bilateral hearing loss in his left ear, but not in his right ear. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for hearing loss in either ear.,There is no evidence showing tinnitus was present within one year after separation from active duty service. The VA examiner found it unlikely that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military noise exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that new evidence did not meet the threshold to reopen his claim for tinnitus. For hearing loss, the Board concluded there was no in-service or post-service evidence linking the condition to service.

The Veteran's application for TDIU was received on May 4, 2010. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU prior to December 30, 2013 is dismissed as moot.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and asthma are service-connected, with the latter being linked to in-service Gulf War exposure.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown to be related to service, as there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or permanent auditory damage. The VA examiners found no connection between the current conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his service and granted service connection for it. The deviated septum rating remains unchanged as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for tinnitus, but the Board finds that no claim was made prior to June 30, 2006.,The Veteran's claim for muscle fasciculation is remanded as new and material evidence may have been received.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because their death during the pendency of the appeal means the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this case.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, tinnitus, and PTSD are all granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, gastrointestinal disease, skin disorder, heart condition secondary to PTSD, peripheral vestibular disorder, bilateral hearing loss, or tinnitus. The Veteran's left ear frostbite is also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD and tinnitus are found to be etiologically related to service, warranting the grant of service connection for both conditions.