Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and PTSD, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's current tinnitus is found to be related to his in-service noise exposure during combat operations. Service connection for PTSD is also granted as the Veteran's symptoms are linked to his combat experiences. Bilateral hearing loss was not established by VA audiometric testing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional records from SSA and VA treatment providers.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and diabetes mellitus due to missing service treatment records from the Veteran's second period of Army service. The VA is instructed to seek these records and consider them in their decision.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss are not service-connected, but his tinnitus is service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability and the VA examiner found it less likely than not related to service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because he does not meet the schedular requirements for a current disability, and the VA examiner found it less likely than not related to service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is granted as there is credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors and a link between symptoms and service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, but remanded it due to insufficient evidence. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are also remanded.

The Board found that tinnitus is related to service, including the Veteran's exposure to loud jet engine noise during his military service. As a result, service connection for tinnitus was granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his military service, including noise exposure during his time in Vietnam. As such, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's former position as a computer programmer with an Associate degree education level is no longer suitable due to excessive absences from work and school caused by service-connected migraine headaches. The decision grants reentrance into the VR&E program.

The Veteran's recurrent nasal polyps and nosebleeds are granted service connection, as is his pseudotumor cerebri (or substantially similar disability). Headaches, dizziness/vertigo, vision problems, and tinnitus are also granted secondary to the pseudotumor cerebri. The maximum schedular rating for allergic rhinitis with nasal polyps is granted, and a TDIU due to persistent depressive disorder is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for further development as there is insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a psychiatric disorder rated at 70 percent and other conditions rated at 20 percent combined to 90 percent, make him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board granted the TDIU.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as the claim for non-service-connected pension. The denial is based on the fact that the Appellant did not have qualifying active duty status during which an injury could have occurred to develop these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss was not incurred in or related to his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis for right ear hearing loss, but finds in favor of granting service connection for tinnitus due to noise exposure during service.

The Board has denied service connection for COPD and remanded the issue of tinnitus. The case is being returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted. The skin disorder claim is remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions to address the issues of service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right ankle disability, left knee disability, and lumbar spine disability.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.