Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's initial ratings for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and PTSD were upheld. A TDIU was granted. The claims for erectile dysfunction and skin cancer of the neck (to include as secondary to Agent Orange exposure) were denied. Service connection for a low back disability was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and speech impediment were all granted. However, the effective date of these awards is March 10, 2016, which is consistent with when the Veteran submitted his claim to VA.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted as his tinnitus manifested during service and is related to noise exposure.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a right foot disability due to lack of evidence meeting VA's criteria for hearing loss or tinnitus. The Veteran did not meet the threshold for current hearing loss in either ear as defined by VA regulations.,Service connection was also denied for tinnitus because there is no objective evidence linking it to service despite conceded noise exposure, and the examiner found that the Veteran’s tinnitus is less likely than not caused by military noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of tinnitus and BHL have been granted. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD has been remanded.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding all listed issues, including the rating for migraine headaches and other conditions. The Board dismissed these appeals due to the withdrawal.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus as the evidence did not show chronic symptoms in service or continuity of symptoms after service separation.

A 70 percent rating for PTSD is granted, while tinnitus remains denied.

The Veteran's cause of death was initially listed as COPD, but his spouse now contends that diabetes mellitus caused the death. The Board has ordered a request for the original death certificate from Indiana State Department of Health Division of Vital Records.

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not necessitate the care or assistance of another person on a regular basis to attend to the activities of daily living, protect him from the hazards or dangers of his daily environment, substantially confine him to his dwelling or immediate premises, or require prominent institutionalization.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for a new VA examination due to an inadequate rationale in the previous opinion. The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, tinnitus, and bilateral high frequency sensorineural hearing loss have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since June 18, 2013. The Board has granted entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) from that date.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his in-service acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have originated during active service and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The hearing loss claim is remanded as there are insufficient records available to determine if it was incurred in service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms have been continuous since service separation. The decision is based on presumptive service connection due to exposure to noise during service.