Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of worsening during service or a direct relationship.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder and tinnitus have prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at 50 percent since November 23, 2011. The claim for a higher initial rating for tinnitus was withdrawn by the Veteran in his substantive appeal. The Board denied entitlement to TDIU as the combined rating of service-connected disabilities does not meet the schedular requirements.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and occupational background from December 17, 2015.

The Board has remanded the claims for hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of VA examination records. The Veteran's service records indicate exposure to noise during live fire exercises, helicopter flights, and parachute insertions. Additional medical examinations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, which combined are at least 40% disabling and prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has reopened the previously denied service connection claims for bilateral ear disabilities, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's competent and credible testimony, along with his submitted treatment records, adequately establishes causation in these cases.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are not related to his service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or chronic symptoms within a year post-service. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran was granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied service connection for a bilateral eye disability.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be a result of noise exposure during his military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's inner ear disability, manifested by vertigo and dizziness, is granted service connection. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at the minimum (10%) level. Tinnitus is also rated at the minimum (10%) level.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be at least as likely as not related to his service-connected hearing loss.,The Veteran's left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are found to be at least as likely as not secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus and reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not shown during service or within one year thereafter, and there is no evidence of a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes under 38 C.F.R. § 3.385.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD and dysthymic disorder was denied as no relevant, outstanding service department records were associated with the claims file after the previous final disallowance.,Service connection for tinnitus was not granted as there is no evidence that the condition is related to active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, coronary artery disease, and migraine headaches. Service connection was also granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (likely due to a TBI), weight gain disorder, and memory loss disorder as secondary to service-connected disorders.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a low back disability, skin and respiratory disorders, TBI, anemia, GI issues, tinnitus, thyroid disorder, and hemorrhoids have been denied. The Board found the evidence did not support service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, specifically noise exposure during active duty training or service in the Army National Guard. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability did not warrant a rating in excess of 40 percent, and denied entitlement to TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is not service-connected as it did not manifest within one year of separation from service and there is no evidence linking the current condition to military service.,The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected as it is related to in-service noise exposure. The right knee disability is also service-connected as it was caused by a service-connected right ankle disability.