Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's vertigo and tinnitus are found to be secondary to his service-connected left ear chronic suppurative otitis media. The bilateral hearing loss is not considered due to or the result of his service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to military noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition. The claim of service connection for hearing loss remains pending as it was not addressed in the March 2011 rating decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability and bilateral foot disability are not related to service, while his hearing loss and tinnitus have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a scar of the right forearm and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence that these conditions were aggravated by service or are otherwise related to active duty.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant's attorney prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are sufficient to bring his combined rating to 90 percent, with at least one disability rated 40 percent or higher; these service-connected disabilities preclude the Veteran from maintaining gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are related to service, while his sinus condition is not. The claim for a sinus condition remains denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not have their onset during service, were not manifested to a compensable degree within one year following separation from service, and are not related to an injury or event in service. As such, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of a current disability within one year of separation from active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to August 23, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case due to administrative errors and needs further development before a decision can be made on the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The issues of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for bilateral hearing loss and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities are also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound, including for his spouse.

The Veteran does not have a current disability for the purposes of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depressive disorder, is not related to service.

The Veteran is granted specially adapted housing due to multiple service-connected disabilities, including the loss or use of the left lower extremity and residuals of organic disease/injury affecting balance and propulsion. The issue of a special home adaptation grant is dismissed as moot.

The Board has determined that the Veteran experienced tinnitus during and since active service, granting her claim for service connection.

The Veteran seeks service connection for heart disease, TMJ, sleep apnea, and tinnitus. The Board has determined that additional development is needed due to the complexity of the issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened, but the Board has decided to remand the case for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is etiologically related to his in-service exposure to noise during active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus originated during active service and is granted service connection. The cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are found to be related to in-service back pain, but not due to or aggravated by any other service-connected conditions. The psychiatric disability remains at a 30 percent rating.