Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have originated in service and has continued since then, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination and opinion are needed due to inaccuracies in the previous VA opinion, as well as the need for records from a private audiologist.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active military service, with one VA examiner opining that they were caused at least in part by exposure to artillery noise during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for Vocational Rehabilitation benefits under Chapter 31, Title 38, United States Code. The Board found that her employment is consistent with her abilities and interests, and she has overcome any impairment of employability caused by her service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided that a new VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's tinnitus is related to service, and additional records from his treatment at the Asheville VA Medical Center are requested.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, including noise exposure from aircraft. As a result, both conditions have been granted service connection.

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

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the November 2016 VA audiology examination and etiological opinions, requiring an additional VA examination.

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

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, citing that he is already receiving compensation and does not want to move forward with the claims.

The Veteran's application for Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance (RH) was denied due to his non-service-connected disabilities precluding a finding of good health. The claim for waiver of premiums for SDVI (RH) is dismissed as the eligibility issue has been decided.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus do not appear to have onset during service, and there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure. The Board finds the preponderance of the competent and credible evidence weighs against finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board found that service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus is not warranted as the evidence does not establish a nexus to service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as his combined rating of 80% due to service-connected disabilities meets the threshold requirements for a TDIU. Additional development is needed to assess the functional impact of his service-connected conditions on his ability to work.

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

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted as all reasonable doubt has been resolved in his favor.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected, with the Board finding that both conditions are at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional medical opinions and evidence regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection, including his exposure to Agent Orange. The issues of radiculopathy in the bilateral upper extremities, rheumatoid arthritis and hepatitis B, tinnitus, and depression are all pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was reopened, and the appeal is granted. Service connection for headaches, sleep disturbance, and tinnitus are denied.