Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2017

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected tinnitus and hearing loss, as well as his claims for service connection for various conditions. The Veteran was granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and Meniere's syndrome with symptoms of vertigo, tinnitus and hearing loss due to in-service noise exposure and combat injuries. The Veteran's current diagnoses are considered presumptive under the Gulf War Syndrome presumption.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, but his right ear hearing loss is not. The Veteran served in combat and both conditions were noted during service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is etiologically related to his military service and the claim for service connection has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there is no evidence of a chronic disease during service or within one year after discharge. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for PTSD prior to July 19, 2016 was also denied due to lack of continuity of symptomatology. For the period beginning July 19, 2016 and thereafter, a higher rating for PTSD is not granted as there is no evidence that the disability has worsened beyond what is contemplated by the current 30 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, but he is granted service connection for tinnitus due to credible assertions of its onset during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and an addendum opinion from the examiner who conducted his September 2011 audiological examination. The examiner will address whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and/or tinnitus had its onset in service or is otherwise related to any incident of service, including acknowledged in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his exposure to acoustic trauma during service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has ordered a remand for another VA examination to determine if the Veteran's tinnitus is caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The case will be returned to the Board after this additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, specifically noise exposure during active duty. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not aggravated by medications prescribed to treat his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated during service, and thus denied these claims. The claim for retinitis pigmentosa remains pending as it was not addressed in the April 2016 remand.

The Veteran's application for a total disability rating based on individual employability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities was granted effective May 6, 1994. The Board found that the evidence supported the conclusion that the Veteran was unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service hazardous noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his atypical ear pain with tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent has already been assigned.

The Veteran is unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities, as his diabetes mellitus type II with retinopathy and cataracts, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, tinnitus, and upper extremity neuropathies have rendered him unfit for physically demanding jobs.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD was granted from January 26, 2001. The effective date of the grant of service connection for left foot pes planus is set at October 5, 2009. A TDIU claim has been raised.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his active service, specifically noise exposure during both active duty and reserve service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has granted the petition to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and remanded the issues of service connection for cervical muscle strain (also claimed neck injury), tinnitus, and headaches and dizziness.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus is directly related to service exposure, and thus grants service connection for tinnitus. The claim for bilateral hearing loss remains pending as further development is required.