Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the case for consideration of an extraschedular rating for tinnitus due to marked interference with employment and unaccounted symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to March 13, 2013.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, as there is no evidence of hearing loss during service or continuous symptoms since service. The claims for service connection are therefore denied.

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

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral tinnitus, cervical spine disability, and thoracic spine disability have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral tinnitus is not etiologically related to her active service.

The Veteran's tinnitus was caused by in-service exposure to excessive and harmful noise, resulting in service connection being granted for this condition. The issues of PTSD and obstructive sleep apnea are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for a surgical scar, status post varicocelectomy was denied as the scar does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The Veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities was also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus and a low back disability, as well as his claim for an increased rating for right patellectomy. The Veteran was not granted any benefits.

The Veteran's prostate cancer, right knee condition, hernia, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, tooth decay and gum disease, and tinnitus are not etiologically related to service. The Veteran's tinnitus is etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating greater than 70 percent for PTSD was withdrawn prior to the Board's decision.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, with the evidence being in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of hearing loss due to additional development.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have had its onset during service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus are related to service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran is asked to provide a private medical opinion addressing these deficiencies.

The Veteran's back disorder is not service-connected as it was pre-existing and not aggravated by service.,Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected as they did not manifest within one year of separation from service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus. The Board also finds that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for his tinnitus, as it relates to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied, but his claim for tinnitus is granted.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and affording the Veteran an opportunity to respond.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not rendered him unable to follow a substantially gainful occupation during any time subject to this appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and psychiatric disability are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability. The claim for compensable evaluation for dyshidrotic eczema is also denied.