Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hepatitis C and tinnitus as claimed by the Veteran, did not preclude employment prior to May 18, 2011. The Board found that the evidence does not demonstrate that it is more likely than not the Veteran was unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities alone prior to May 18, 2011.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of consideration of an IOM report on noise exposure in service, and for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are granted. Service connection is established for right ear hearing loss disability, tinnitus secondary to a service-connected right ear hearing loss disability, and left ear hearing loss disability. The Veteran's claims for asthma, bilateral hearing loss, chloracne, cysts on the head and back, and tinnitus remain denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that there was no causal relationship between his current disabilities and his active duty service. The Board noted that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for direct service connection due to lack of evidence linking his current conditions to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus disability is related to service, as it began during his time in active duty and is due to noise exposure. The decision grants service connection for tinnitus.

The application to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension is denied. Service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disability is remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The appeals for service connection for bilateral cataracts, prostate cancer, and tinnitus have been dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity and right upper extremity.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss but granted service connection for tinnitus. The decision on hearing loss is based on the lack of evidence showing a relationship to in-service noise exposure, while the decision on tinnitus is based on credible testimony from the Veteran regarding his in-service noise exposure and subsequent onset of tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. The claim was reopened due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's claims for cervical spine, right upper extremity nerve, obstructive sleep apnea, and tinnitus disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for traumatic brain injury (TBI) is remanded as there is conflicting evidence regarding whether it was incurred in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and traumatic brain injury have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been rated at the maximum possible level, with no further increase in rating being warranted.,The Veteran's epilepsy claim has been reopened due to new evidence submitted since his last denial. However, service connection for epilepsy remains denied as there is insufficient evidence linking current symptoms to service.,The Veteran's TBI and seizure disorder claims are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no current disability of either condition. The Board also remanded the claim for service connection for tinnitus due to insufficient evidence in the VA examination reports.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities were evaluated as 100% disabling prior to August 1, 2016. From August 1, 2016, the criteria for entitlement to a TDIU have been met.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status due to non-service-connected conditions such as obesity and amputation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further verification of his National Guard service. The AOJ is instructed to obtain missing medical records, verify his periods of active duty, and consider possible undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained multi-symptom illness if confirmed.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further consideration by the Director of Compensation Service due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from working.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, a chronic respiratory disability (emphysema and recurrent bronchitis), and bilateral hearing loss have been granted.,Evidence showed the Veteran had continuous symptoms of these conditions since separation from service.