Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to address whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, including noise exposure during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest in service or within one year thereafter, and are not otherwise related to service. The claims were denied as there was no showing of chronicity during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to service, while his bilateral hearing loss is not. The Veteran's tinnitus was incurred in service, and he had a pre-existing right ear hearing loss disability which did not worsen during service.

The Board has remanded the case for further action due to ambiguity in the December 2012 VA examiner's opinion regarding the Veteran's military noise exposure and a need for another VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeal for earlier effective dates for the award of service connection for PTSD on the basis of CUE and earlier effective dates for the award of service connection for various conditions was dismissed because his substantive appeal was not timely filed.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence of the claims for hearing loss and tinnitus have been received, allowing service connection to be granted. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal regarding the issues of hearing loss and tinnitus before a decision was made.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the hearing loss and low back disorder claims are remanded due to need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development as the April 2011 VA examination report is inadequate and does not provide specific audiologic findings. The case will be readjudicated after obtaining any additional evidence.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus is etiologically related to his period of active service and granted service connection for this condition. The decision on bilateral hearing loss remains pending as it was addressed in a separate remand.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims, including obtaining an opinion regarding his bilateral hearing loss and issuing a Supplemental Statement of the Case for the remaining issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, right knee chondromalacia, and left knee chondromalacia are related to service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is a result of noise exposure during service and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, resulting in a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including IBS, anxiety disorder, sinusitis, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since September 2, 2014. The Board finds that the criteria for a TDIU are met beginning on this date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is REMANDED. The issue of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss remains pending and will be remanded as well.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining a new VA opinion regarding the Veteran's tinnitus and its relationship to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to service and grants service connection for this condition.