Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to new evidence submitted since the March 2011 rating decisions. However, both issues are remanded as additional medical opinions are needed regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus and their onset during service.

The Veteran is granted an annual VA clothing allowance for the year 2014 due to use of L1820 knee braces with hinges, but denied a clothing allowance for use of a TENS unit. The decision is based on evidence showing that the knee braces cause wear and tear to outergarments like pants, while the TENS unit does not.

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

The Board has found that service connection is warranted for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, but the case must be remanded to obtain a VA examination regarding residuals of cold injury to the bilateral feet.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for service-connected irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) was remanded due to insufficient evidence showing his inability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment. The Board requested additional medical examination to assess the impact of IBS, tinnitus, and left ear hearing loss on his employability.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, both of which are determined to have been incurred in the line of duty during the Veteran's ACDUTRA (active duty training) service.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for an abdominal condition, to include Gulf War syndrome, is denied.,As new and material evidence has been received, the petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not of such a nature and severity as to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The right knee disability, PTSD, and TDIU issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is a result of noise exposure during his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that either condition was incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as related to in-service stressors, including fear of hostile military activity. The Board also found that the evidence supports a grant of service connection for PTSD due to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded for further examination. Diabetes mellitus remains at 20% disability rating and TDIU is also on appeal.

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

The Veteran's claims of service connection for gunshot wound residuals, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and tinnitus were denied as there was no evidence to support the claims. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen any of these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, is remanded due to the need for a new examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are etiologically related to acoustic trauma sustained in active service, and therefore grants entitlement to service connection for these conditions.