Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, PTSD, and bilateral hearing loss are related to service. However, further evidence is needed for the psychiatric disorder claim due to outstanding Vet Center records, and a new examination is required for both the hearing loss and PTSD claims.

The Veteran's clothing allowance for the calendar year 2017 for a back brace is granted due to wear and tear on his clothes caused by using a back brace.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no link between his current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD renders him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, thus meeting the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected. The squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue is not service-connected, presumed to be due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death is not related to his service-connected disabilities, specifically residuals of skull fracture and traumatic encephalopathy. The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran’s death to these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability and that the preponderance of the evidence does not support a link between the Veteran's in-service noise exposure and his current condition.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but dismissed the claims for bilateral hearing loss, prostate cancer, low back disability, skin disability, left ear abnormal growth, heart disability, and stroke.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus did not have onset during military service or within one year of discharge from service, and are not shown to be related to his military service.,Service connection for a current disability requires evidence of a present disability; in-service incurrence or aggravation of a disease or injury; and a causal relationship between the present disability and the disease or injury incurred or aggravated during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular requirements for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) at any time during the appeals period.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection and a rating increase because he passed away during the appeal process.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral tinnitus is granted. Claims for left ankle disability, low back disability, and left big toe injury are dismissed due to withdrawal of appeal.

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

The Veteran's service connection claims for left inguinal hernia, bilateral inguinal herniorrhaphy, and tinnitus have been granted. The remaining issues of service connection for pes planus, vision disorder, and hearing loss are remanded.

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

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and a right hip disability have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran experienced these conditions in service and they are related to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed for all issues related to tinnitus, hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type 2, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, PTSD, and IHD.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected. The conditions were found to be directly related to his military service.