Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2017

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not etiologically related to in-service noise exposure, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to April 21, 2009 was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, either individually or through their combined-effect thereof, do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work experience.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, major depressive disorder (MDD), and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was not granted.

The Veteran's initial and increased ratings for tinnitus and chronic lumbar syndrome, status post lumbar discectomy were granted. The rating for the back disability was increased to 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions and a need for further examination. The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are being reviewed again to determine if they are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The claim for tinnitus, however, resulted in a grant of service connection with an initial noncompensable rating that was later increased to 10 percent effective December 29, 2011.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for acid reflux and sleep apnea have been withdrawn. The Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability in his right ear, but he has left ear hearing loss for VA purposes. However, as this condition is not shown within one year following discharge from service, it cannot be presumed to have been incurred therein. Tinnitus was also not shown during service or within the first post-service year and thus cannot be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and sleep apnea. The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for an anaphylactic bee sting allergy and TDIU are also remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for tinnitus and an increased rating for diabetes mellitus prior to the Board's decision.

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

The Veteran's current tinnitus is at least as likely as not the result of an in-service event or injury, and the Board grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Board determined that service connection is not warranted for bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active duty.,Service connection was also denied for a dental condition, as there was no indication of compensable disability and the Veteran did not meet eligibility criteria under any specific class.

The Board finds that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral hearing loss was not aggravated by service, and his tinnitus is due to in-service noise exposure. The claims for service connection are granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that it did not begin within one year after separation from service and is not otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment due to his bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus II, insomnia disorder, and prostate cancer. The Board finds that the criteria for a TDIU pursuant to 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b) are met.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, and he has multiple skin disorders including actinic keratosis, basal cell carcinoma, and melanoma. His hemochromatosis is not service-connected.