Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's tinnitus is rated at the highest possible level (10%) and no higher rating is warranted.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under any diagnostic code.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, including exposure to acoustic trauma during active duty. As a result, service connection for these conditions is granted.

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

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The claims for right ankle condition, ulcer condition, back condition, and cervical cancer are reopened due to new evidence received since the last denial in February 1997.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities for referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for left shoulder, left elbow, bilateral eye disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD). Additionally, the nonservice-connected pension benefits claim is also being remanded. The VA must obtain relevant treatment records and attempt to verify an in-service stressor.

The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's lay statements regarding continuity of symptoms since discharge from service are also considered.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied service connection for bilateral knee disability and bilateral hearing loss.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus due to potential issues with service connection based on aggravation of a preexisting condition. The Veteran is requested to provide records from his civilian job in a bakery, and an addendum medical opinion is needed regarding whether his preexisting hearing loss disability increased in severity during service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, but his claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD remains pending and needs further development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least in equipoise with respect to their onset during service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is linked to noise exposure during his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's knee conditions and tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to April 21, 2017. The Board granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for this period.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service. The Veteran's current disabilities were established by VA audiometric testing showing threshold shifts during his military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have begun during service and continues to this day, meeting the criteria for service connection.