Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current tinnitus, right jaw condition (TMJ), and appendicitis do not have a nexus to service. The most probative evidence does not support these claims.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent prior to May 16, 2012. The Board also granted a TDIU for the period from May 10, 2011 to May 16, 2012. However, the TDIU claim was denied prior to May 10, 2011.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus began during active service. The hearing loss claim is remanded due to the need for a medical opinion.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability that is related to service.

The Veteran's current tinnitus is at least as likely as not the result of an in-service event or injury, and therefore service connection for tinnitus has been granted.

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

The Board finds that tinnitus had its onset in service and grants the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal of the claim for service connection for transient ischemic attack was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his hearing loss, tinnitus, and right knee disorder claims. The Board will not make a final decision on these issues until further review.

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

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus and denied his claim for hypertension. For tinnitus, the Board found that reasonable doubt must be resolved in favor of the Veteran, as there is evidence supporting a nexus between his current tinnitus and noise exposure during active duty. For hypertension, the Board determined that clear and unmistakable evidence shows the condition preexisted service and was not aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that additional information is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including for his bilateral hearing loss and left shoulder disability. The case is therefore REMANDED.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between his in-service noise exposure and his disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his exposure to acoustic trauma during service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 20 percent prior to December 17, 2015. Service connection for tinnitus has been granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran also did not meet the requirements for TDIU prior to November 24, 2014.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his in-service noise exposure and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a compensable degree of hearing loss within one year after discharge. The VA examiner concluded that these conditions are not related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to additional development being required.