Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure. Service connection for hearing loss of the right ear and neck problems (claimed as arthritis) have been denied.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical spine disability, and low back disability. The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a left eye disorder and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including verification of his National Guard service periods and obtaining relevant STRs. A new VA examination is also required for both issues.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The bilateral hearing loss claim is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus was not shown to be related to service, as the symptoms did not manifest within one year of separation and there is no evidence of chronicity in service. The Board found that the current tinnitus is not etiologically related to military noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the cases of tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence, including inadequate audiometric test results. The Veteran will need a new VA examination for both conditions.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions were not related to his military service due to lack of in-service noise exposure and no evidence of continuous symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected. The Board found that the Veteran was exposed to noise during service, which is conceded, and there is no evidence of a pre-existing condition or other basis for denying service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not support higher ratings, and it was determined that the Veteran could still obtain and maintain employment despite his service-connected conditions.

The Board dismissed the appeals of service connection for tinnitus and an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's tinnitus is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent and the Board has denied an extraschedular evaluation as his condition is not exceptional or unusual.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, prostate disorder, urinary incontinence, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD and 'nerves') due to service. The issues are related to exposure to Agent Orange during service.

All appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed. The Veteran's appeal for obstructive sleep apnea, heart disorder, erectile dysfunction, and acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate examination findings. The examiner is requested to provide an addendum opinion addressing whether any preexisting hearing loss was aggravated by service, considering the shift in the Veteran’s hearing from the entrance to the separation examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not found to be related to his military service.,Service connection for both conditions was denied.

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 acoustic trauma.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus as the evidence did not show that it began during or was caused by active service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need to obtain VA treatment records from October 2014 to April 2017, as well as any audiological examinations or tests. A new VA examination is also required to determine the current nature of his hearing loss and tinnitus disorders, including whether dizziness is a symptom of either condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, residuals of tonsillectomy, and tinnitus due to inadequate medical opinions and outstanding records.

The Board has remanded the cases of tinnitus and hearing loss for further development as an incomplete review of service records was conducted during a VA examination.