Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for tinnitus is denied. The earliest possible effective date, April 6, 2011, was assigned as the day she filed to reopen her previously-denied hearing loss claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to service and granted service connection for this condition. The issue of bilateral hearing loss remains pending as it was not addressed in the decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected as it began during his active service and continues to this day.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for tinnitus and finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service. Therefore, service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are both granted due to the presumption of service connection for chronic diseases, as established by his in-service onset and continued presence of these conditions.

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU, but his combined disability rating is not sufficient to establish entitlement due to lack of additional service-connected disability bringing the total to at least 40%.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and need for further examinations. The issues include service connection for various conditions, a higher rating for his lumbar disability, and TDIU.

The Veteran's acne vulgaris and PTSD have been rated, but the TDIU claim is still pending as there has not been a final decision regarding it. The Board granted a 100% schedular rating for PTSD from January 27, 2014, which resolved the issue of TDIU prior to that date.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities, including left ear hearing loss, PTSD, DJD with supraspinatus tendon tear in the left shoulder, laceration right wrist with ulnar neuropathy and degenerative changes, and bilateral tinnitus.,The Veteran's multiple service-connected conditions have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability or tinnitus that is related to his active duty service, and therefore denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active military service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus was incurred in or caused by military service, and therefore grants service connection for tinnitus. The hearing loss claim is remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions to determine its etiology.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have manifested in service and is therefore granted service connection. The Board finds that an additional VA examination and medical opinion are needed regarding the etiology of Meniere's disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, including exposure to acoustic trauma during combat in Vietnam. The right lower extremity and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have not been addressed by the RO.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset in service and is granted service connection for this condition. The issue of bilateral hearing loss remains pending as it was not addressed by the RO.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The issue of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran is granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as both conditions are found to be related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and potentially locate his service records. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cold weather injuries of the upper and lower extremities, and low back injury will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, erectile dysfunction, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.,Service connection was not granted for a chronic fatigue disorder as there is no evidence of record supporting such a claim.