Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Board has found that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability and tinnitus are etiologically related to in-service noise exposure. The right ear hearing loss disability is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment consistent with his educational and occupational background.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, recurrent bilateral tinnitus, and thyroid condition as there was no evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's time in service.,There were inconsistencies in the veteran's statements regarding his exposure to acoustic trauma during service and the onset of his symptoms.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as secondary to service-connected fractures and tinnitus.,Right ear hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, and his total combined rating is 80 percent. The Board finds that he does not meet the threshold requirements for TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to military noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus is at least as likely as not related to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for tinnitus is denied as the current 10 percent rating already accounts for the impact of his tinnitus. The low back disorder and bilateral hearing loss claims are remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, restrictive lung disease and dyspnea on exertion (previously claimed as shortness of breath), and obstructive sleep apnea have all been denied. The Board found that the current conditions are not related to active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than June 16, 2010 for a TDIU rating, finding that his PTSD did not preclude him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to this date.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for chronic allergies, a respiratory disability, and a uterine disability. The remaining issues have been remanded due to new evidence being added to the record.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for tinnitus, which he claims is due to noise exposure during his military service. The Board found that the Veteran's statements regarding in-service noise exposure and continuous symptoms since then are credible and resolved in favor of granting service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD and tinnitus, are severe enough to prevent him from securing or maintaining employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied service connection for back injury, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus as there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus.,The Board also denied service connection for a dental disorder for compensation purposes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and granted his claims for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus. The decision is based on the evidence showing that the Veteran had noise exposure in service, which led to current diagnoses of left ear hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, left knee, tinnitus, diabetes, and head injury have all been denied.,There is no current evidence of a diagnosed condition in any of these areas.

The Board has remanded several claims for additional development, including obtaining medical records and verifying the Veteran's service stressors. The claims of service connection for various conditions are also being considered.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are related to his service, but further development is needed for the hearing loss issue.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issue of an initial compensable disability rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB).