Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were caused or aggravated by service, including exposure to noise. Therefore, both conditions are granted as service connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his military service, including exposure to loud noise from artillery and mortars. Therefore, service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or any significant changes in hearing during service. The VA examiner found that the disabilities are less likely than not caused by military noise exposure.

The Veteran's tinnitus, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction are all found to be related to his service.,Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and acoustic neuroma. The evidence does not establish that these conditions are related to service or any incident of service.

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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened and is now granted. Bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and ischemic heart disease are also found to be related to military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence was at least in equipoise as to whether he had tinnitus, and granted service connection for this condition.,Service connection for PTSD was granted effective August 13, 2012, which is also the earliest available effective date for SMC based on housebound status.

The Veteran's GERD is not service-connected as there is no evidence of its onset during or immediately after his military service, and the medical opinion found it unrelated to service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because the Veteran did not report or seek treatment for hearing loss until many years post-service. The VA examiner opined that the current hearing loss is less likely than not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is not related to his service, and denied his claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not have its onset in service, did not manifest within one year of service, and is not attributable to service. As such, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from achieving a vocational goal as an automotive supervisor, and the Board finds that achievement of such a goal is not reasonably feasible.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not originate in service or within a year of service, and are not otherwise etiologically related to his active service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The Board found that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus had their onset during service, thus granting service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's testimony of in-service noise exposure and continuity of symptoms since service is credible. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected as they are directly related to his military service, with no presumption or secondary connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a hearing, and will schedule a Travel Board hearing before a member of the Board at the Atlanta, Georgia, VA RO.

The Board has ordered an addendum opinion to assess the combined effects of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his employability. The claim is being remanded for this purpose.

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 in-service noise exposure or a current disability. The VA examiner opined that the etiology of the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus was less likely due to his history of noise exposure during active service.

The Board has denied the claims of service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and a bilateral elbow disorder as well as PTSD due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions.