Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and lumbar spine disability are all denied. The Board found that the threshold criteria to establish entitlement to service connection were not met for right ear hearing loss due to lack of a current disability diagnosis.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by active duty service, nor may their incurrence or aggravation be presumed. The evidence does not support a finding of chronic hearing loss during service, and there is no medical opinion linking the current disabilities to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA audiologist regarding the relationship between his current hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities and service. The AOJ should also schedule the Veteran for a DRO hearing at the appropriate RO pertaining to his claims of entitlement to service connection for PTSD and erosive gastritis.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's reported symptoms are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to service, including exposure to noise from medivac helicopters and a severe case of meningitis. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo are related to his military service. As such, these conditions have been granted service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected shell fragment wound, dorsal lumbar area and iliac spine, muscle group XX with foreign bodies is rated at 60 percent, which meets the schedular requirement for TDIU.,The Veteran has a combined rating of 70 percent or more due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability has not been present during the pendency of his claim.,Throughout the initial rating period, the Veteran's left ear hearing loss was no worse than Level I hearing impairment.

The Veteran's appeal of the claims for a separate rating for anxiety disorder, increased ratings for right hip and right knee disabilities, and service connection for bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted with an initial rating of 70 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus began during his active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus began during his active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service due to noise exposure.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral tinnitus is granted as there is evidence of exposure to loud noise in service and the current condition can be linked to that exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding treatment records and affording her with VA examinations.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be incurred as a result of service, and the claim for service connection is granted. The issue of entitlement to TDIU remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of all periods of service and a supplemental medical opinion.

The Veteran's current tinnitus is found to be incurred in service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

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