Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service connection claims for throat cancer, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back disability, skin cancer, and an acquired psychiatric condition (PTSD) have been granted. The decision also addressed the reopening of these claims.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's tinnitus is due to acoustic trauma during service. Service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his military service.,There is no evidence of a left shoulder or foot disorder during service, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities, finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and other conditions, make it impossible for him to obtain or maintain gainful employment consistent with his educational background and work history. The Board has granted a TDIU effective from November 29, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new examination to determine the current nature and extent of his hearing loss, as well as clarification on when he reported the onset of his symptoms.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be presumptively incurred in service due to exposure to acoustic trauma. The bilateral hearing loss disability and PTSD claims are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his active military service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board finds that the earliest possible effective date for the grant of service connection for tinnitus is February 6, 2004. The Veteran's claim was denied due to lack of a formal application submitted within one year of receipt of an informal claim.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding new and material evidence. However, it is unable to establish a direct link between his current conditions and military service due to lack of contemporaneous medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder and foot disorder have been reopened, but further development is needed to address the merits of these claims.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) remains pending.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to service or his service-connected hearing loss, and the Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether it was caused by service or a service-connected condition. Therefore, service connection for tinnitus for purposes of accrued benefits is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected as they were incurred during his military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have had its onset during his active service, and thus he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, specifically bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claims for skin cancer, sebaceous cysts, heart disease, and COPD are also denied as there is no evidence of a nexus to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes and a sleep disorder have been withdrawn. Service connection is not granted for bilateral hearing loss, but established for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine the etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as whether these conditions are related to his military service. The case will be remanded for an addendum opinion with a full discussion of the in-service audiograms and other relevant evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied service connection for a disability manifested by vertigo.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be so severe that they prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or chronic symptoms. As such, the claims for service connection have been denied.