Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service connected due to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but remanded the issue of sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as his combined disability rating does not meet the schedular criteria for a total disability rating, and there is no evidence that he is unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities.

Service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, and hypertension is denied. The claim for service connection for tinnitus and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD and major depressive) is remanded.,The TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with the claims for service connection being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hearing loss in the right ear and tinnitus due to potential issues with the VA examiner's opinion. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which existed prior to service but may have been aggravated during active duty.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a low back disability and granted it. The Veteran's PTSD is remanded for further evaluation, as are his claims for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus (secondary to left ear hearing loss).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus was denied as there is no current disability.,Service connection for tinnitus was also denied due to lack of a link between the condition and active duty.

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

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of service connection for tinnitus was granted, and it is now established that his tinnitus was incurred in service.,The Veteran's adjustment disorder, mixed with anxiety and depressed mood, was also granted as secondary to his service-connected tinea versicolor.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU because his disability ratings were not high enough to warrant these benefits, and there was no evidence that his service-connected conditions alone rendered him unemployable.

The Veteran's tinnitus disability is already rated at the maximum allowed, and no higher rating can be granted.,The Veteran's anaphylactic shock due to penicillin allergy has not manifested with symptoms during the appeal period, thus a compensable rating cannot be assigned.,Service connection for IHD was denied as there was no evidence of exposure to herbicide agents or other service events that could have caused the condition. The Veteran did not provide sufficient evidence to establish secondary service connection through his existing service-connected conditions.,Service connection for hypothyroidism was denied because it is not shown to be related to IHD, and there is insufficient evidence linking it to active duty service.,Service connection for a heart attack was denied as the condition did not manifest during or within one year after separation from active duty service.,Service connection for TIA was denied due to lack of evidence showing its occurrence during active duty service or within one year post-service.,Service connection for aortic dissection was also denied without sufficient evidence linking it to active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), irritable bowel syndrome with gastroesophageal reflux disease (IBS/GERD), hypertension, fatigue, and various knee and elbow disabilities has been denied as the evidence does not support the presence of these conditions during service or their current existence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to in-service noise exposure and granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to additional development being necessary. The Veteran's hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure, but there are questions about its onset and cause.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, with the evidence being at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions were caused or aggravated by his military service. As such, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus secondary to his service-connected right ear hearing loss. The decision is based on evidence showing noise exposure during active service, which supports a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated as noncompensable, with no worse than Level II hearing impairment in the right ear and Level I hearing impairment in the left ear.,For the entire period on appeal, the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.