Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current bilateral tinnitus is related to his in-service exposure to noise. However, the Board denied service connection for left ulnar neuropathy, concluding that there was no evidence of continuous symptoms since service or compensable manifestations within one year of separation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.

The Board has granted the petition to reopen claims of service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss. It has also determined that these conditions are related to active service, thus establishing service connection.

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 noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, with noise exposure during his duties as an airplane engine mechanic. As a result, both conditions have been granted service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, diabetes mellitus type II (DM), and erectile dysfunction (ED) as secondary to DM. Tinnitus is presumed due to in-service acoustic trauma. Diabetes mellitus type II (DM) is presumed due to herbicide exposure during service. Erectile dysfunction is found to be caused by DM.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, and Crohn's disease with GERD were denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss since September 29, 2009.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the current conditions are not related to service or any in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination, including an opinion on the functional impact of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disability rating is at least 80 percent, and he meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU. The Board finds that his disabilities render him unemployable.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent and the claim for an increased rating greater than 10 percent is denied.,The Veteran's vertigo has been manifested by intermittent dizziness, nausea, and needing to rest; not by occasional staggering. The claim for an increased rating greater than 10 percent is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination related to his claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, tinnitus, and right hand disabilities. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and verifying in-service stressors. A new VA examination is also needed to assess the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral tinnitus has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that the January 2012 VA examiner's opinion is inadequate and a remand is required to obtain an addendum opinion from another appropriate expert. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are inextricably intertwined, so both issues will be addressed together.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not originate in service or within one year of service discharge, and are not otherwise etiologically related to service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are as likely as not related to his military service, including exposure to loud noise during service. As a result, the claims for service connection are granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss were found to be related to his military service, with the Board finding that he experienced noise exposure during his time as a fuel specialist. The claim for service connection was granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, hearing loss, benign tumors (fatty tumors), a seizure disorder, and a bilateral upper extremity disorder. However, the claim for residuals of an asserted in-service traumatic brain injury with migraine headaches and a seizure disorder is denied as there is no evidence showing that these conditions are related to service.

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 exposure to acoustic trauma.