Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus has been denied as the evidence does not support a rating in excess of the currently assigned 10 percent disability ratings.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service and has been granted. However, the Veteran does not have a current disability for bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus in January 2010, but reopened it due to new evidence. The Board concluded that there is no medical evidence linking current hearing loss or tinnitus to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran likely has tinnitus and a current prostate disorder, both of which are related to his military service. However, there is insufficient evidence to establish a direct link between these conditions and his time in active duty.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected tinnitus was denied as the evidence did not support that his tinnitus alone precluded him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new evidence received since the last denial raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims. The Board then found that there is at least an equipoise in the evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service.

The Veteran currently has tinnitus and the evidence supports a finding that it is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure. As such, service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as his current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of a current disability during service and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and right hip disability have all been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have not been decided.

The Veteran's right flank disability was found to be incurred during active service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition. The hearing loss and tinnitus claims are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied the remaining issues of dental injury to top front four teeth, injury to right arm, and injury to face under right eye.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, including noise exposure during active duty. Therefore, service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus are granted, with all reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are not related to his active service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or any nexus between his symptoms and military service.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his in-service exposure to noise, and thus service connection for tinnitus is granted. However, the Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to establish a link between the Veteran's low back pain and his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are related to his active service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran. As such, both conditions have been granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, but his claim for hearing loss is denied due to lack of evidence showing a current disability. The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as it is attributable to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for consideration of a TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b) due to service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.