Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's insomnia is not service-connected, as it is a symptom of his non-service connected psychiatric disorder. The sleep apnea was not shown to have its onset in service and is not otherwise related to active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service and grants the claim for service connection.

Service connection for PTSD has been granted.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened and granted.

Service connection for chronic maxillary sinusitis and allergic rhinitis was denied as the evidence did not show a nexus to service.,Service connection for anxiety attacks with sleeping problems and memory loss has been reopened, but is still not granted due to lack of a direct link to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of current disabilities or in-service incurrence.

The Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension are all found to be related to his military service. The Board granted the Veteran's claims for these conditions.

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a Board hearing. His claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss disability are still pending.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records. The Veteran is also requested to provide names of any health care providers who have provided treatment for his conditions.

The Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee strain, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and service connection for tinnitus have all been denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support granting any of these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to care for his daily needs without requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting SMC based on aid and attendance prior to May 10, 2017.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and his tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for either condition.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure proper notice and to obtain missing service treatment records. The claims will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service exposure to acoustic trauma, and thus service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded substantially gainful employment from July 1, 2007 to September 16, 2009. The Board granted a TDIU for this period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are not related to his active service, including noise exposure. The evidence does not show a chronic disability resulting from in-service acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, effective December 17, 2009. His hearing loss and tinnitus are separately rated.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss, tinnitus, psychiatric disorder, hypertension, knee joint pains, myalgia, weight loss, and fatigue have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of a current disability or continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be incurred in service, with the Board granting service connection for this condition. The hearing loss and skin condition claims are remanded for further development.