Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal was denied for various issues, including a compensable disability rating for a scar of the right lower extremity and service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claims were also denied for TDIU due to PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions began in service and have continued to the present.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are due to in-service loud noise exposure, including during combat in Vietnam. As such, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are needed to assess the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his service connection claims. The case is therefore REMANDED for these actions.

The Veteran is granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.,Service connection is established for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, with the latter being considered a symptom of the former.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary due to the inadequacy of the January 2013 VA examination, which did not consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding noise exposure and his MOS.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, PTSD with depression and anxiety, GERD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claim for left wrist disability is pending as it requires further examination.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether tinnitus arose in service, and grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The claims for higher initial ratings for bilateral hearing loss and right elbow disability are remanded for additional VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected as they did not manifest during or within one year after service, and there is no direct evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The VA examiners have provided opinions concluding that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are more likely due to presbycusis (age-related hearing loss) rather than noise exposure in service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be etiologically related to in-service hazardous noise exposure, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board denied the reopening of the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no new and material evidence to support these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service acoustic trauma, and therefore service connection is granted for these conditions. The Veteran also meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is not entitled to service connection for thyroiditis and tinnitus, but his bilateral hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disorder are granted. The Veteran's sinusitis claim requires additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment for the period prior to December 17, 2012.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, left hand tendonitis, right hand tendonitis, and a residual right thigh scar.,These conditions are presumed to be related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are related to noise exposure during his military service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus had their onset in service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service acoustic trauma during combat service in Vietnam, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of ischemic heart disease, and his kidney disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are not related to service. The appeal is denied.