Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus was incurred and is causally related to his active service, thus granting service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the appellant's military service and obtain his complete medical records. The case will be returned to the AOJ for this purpose.

The Board has granted service connection for all issues on appeal, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his active military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus, including considering his lay statements regarding in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling an audiological examination to assess the severity of his tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted, as the evidence shows that his current tinnitus is related to in-service noise exposure. The issue of a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a fractured left tibia remains pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension were not service connected due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the Appellant's second period of service discharge was not honorable, and granted his claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as they are related to active duty noise exposure. The psychiatric disorder claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for consideration of whether a TDIU is warranted on an extraschedular basis due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran currently has bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which are service-connected based on direct evidence of a link between in-service noise exposure and current symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are incurred in service, with some evidence of noise exposure during his military service. The decision grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since March 3, 2011. The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU from that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and lumbar spine disorder are service-connected, but his gastrointestinal disorder is not. The Veteran was exposed to acoustic trauma in service and currently experiences symptoms of tinnitus. His lumbar spine disorder may be related to a past injury during active duty service. However, there is no evidence linking his current gastrointestinal disorder to service or any other condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service exposure to noise, while his respiratory disorder (asthma) is not shown to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus had their onset during service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, including noise exposure during military service. As such, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and his TDIU claim has been granted with an effective date of November 20, 2014.,His service-connected disabilities precluded gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience since November 20, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot proceed with the merits of the case as he is no longer alive.

The Veteran was rendered unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities prior to October 2, 2014.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his exposure to noise trauma during active duty.