Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and headaches. The Veteran's current disabilities are found to be related to in-service noise exposure for his hearing conditions and head injury for his headaches.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected. His ischemic heart disease is also granted as a result of herbicide agent exposure in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service exposure to loud noises, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to conflicting evidence regarding their onset during service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there was no in-service noise exposure or hearing impairment, and the current disability does not meet VA criteria for a hearing loss disability. For tinnitus, while the Appellant reported an in-service onset, his STRs show no such symptoms at separation, making it less likely that service connection can be established.

The Veteran's tinnitus is considered to have been incurred in service due to exposure to noise during combat, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to conflicting statements regarding in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are intertwined, so both issues will be addressed together.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU on an extra-schedular basis, finding that his service-connected disabilities do not render him incapable of obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claims for asthma, sinusitis, tinnitus as secondary to asthma and/or sinusitis, and sleep apnea are being remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability, tinnitus, and prostate cancer. The VA needs to obtain additional evidence and provide updated medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for a combined effects medical opinion regarding his service-connected disabilities prior to July 23, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, leading to a TDIU for accrued benefits purposes.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection, as is his acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD). The headache disorder claim is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is at least as likely as not related to hazardous noise exposure during his military service, and thus grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with bone spurs and acne, but granted service connection for tinnitus. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and neuropathy are remanded.

The Veteran's appeals on right knee, right ankle, and trouble sleeping disabilities were dismissed. The appeal for tinnitus was granted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's significant in-service noise exposure as a Machinist’s Mate is related to his current condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with the appellant's character of discharge and his service connection claims. The appeal is not about service connection at all, but rather a dispute over the character of discharge.

The Veteran's tinnitus and ischemic heart disease are granted service connection. The lumbar disability, bilateral hearing loss, and psychiatric disorder claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and his military service.