Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's left heel scar, tinnitus, back disorder, varicose veins, and bilateral leg disorder have been granted service connection. The left heel scar is rated at 10 percent. Tinnitus has been found to be related to active duty service. Service connection for the back disorder, varicose veins, and bilateral leg disorder has not been established.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for otitis media and Meniere's disease were denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during his military service, and the Board found that they are not related to his service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's tinnitus was incurred during his active military service and the Board finds that service connection is warranted.

The Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during active service and is granted service connection. The Board finds the Veteran credible in his report of a decline in hearing loss post-service, but an addendum opinion is needed to address this issue. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of noise exposure or current disability. Service connection for gastrointestinal disabilities (including GERD) and acquired psychiatric disorders are also denied due to lack of medical nexus opinions. An addendum opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's shoulder disabilities is needed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and headaches due to lack of a present diagnosis for hearing loss and insufficient evidence linking his current conditions to service. The claim for left knee patellofemoral syndrome was not addressed as it is part of the remand.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and right ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his active service.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not the result of excessive military noise exposure during his Army National Guard service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his PTSD, effectively preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment and grants a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, considering his testimony about noise exposure during service.

The VA denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and residuals of tongue cancer. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.,There is no current evidence showing a nexus between the Veteran's current disabilities and his period of active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, and psychiatric disorder) have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has determined that a TDIU is warranted based on the combined effect of these conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have had its onset during his active duty service and is related to the in-service noise exposure, warranting service connection.

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

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and a back/cervical spine disability have been denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease, and the current conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for COPD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's right ankle sprain is currently rated at 20 percent disabling, effective August 14, 2017. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and multiple knee/ankle conditions, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD is likely the result of his active service.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are likely the result of his active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which may be related to other causes rather than acoustic trauma during service.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have arisen during service and is being granted effective from the day following his separation, December 24, 1971.