Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to service, but his bilateral hearing loss did not have its clinical onset in service and is not otherwise related to active duty. The claim for hearing loss was denied as it could not be presumed due to a lack of evidence within one year post-service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is a reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during service and is related to noise exposure. However, there is no evidence of hearing loss in service or for many years after service, which weighs against a finding of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that further development of the claim is needed due to inadequate VA opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus and his military service. The case is REMANDED for a new medical opinion.

The claims of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including issuance of a Statement of the Case on the issue of increased rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability, back disability (as secondary to a service-connected right knee disability), left shoulder disability, and left elbow disability are related to his active service. The Veteran's tinnitus and vision loss do not have onset during active service or are not etiologically related to active service. Adult acne is also not related to active service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and verifying claimed stressors. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, will be evaluated in light of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, in combination, affect him in such a way that he is precluded from performing either sedentary or physical work. The Board grants entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. This includes obtaining relevant medical records, including from his National Guard service, as well as an addendum opinion to address whether his current hearing issues are related to military noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule him for a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The TDIU claim will be deferred until these issues are resolved.

The Board found that the Veteran's strongyloides infection did not have its onset in service and was not related to his service-connected conditions. The cause of death, acute myeloid leukemia (AML), is considered immediate rather than contributory.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, bilateral ankle and knee disabilities, GERD, residual scar from a left breast lumpectomy, tinnitus, and migraine headaches. The Veteran's current conditions are found to be related to her military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease that could be linked to these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence showing a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran is found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, specifically bilateral hearing loss and asbestosis. His combined evaluation of 80% meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for patellofemoral syndrome of the right and left knees, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted. The Veteran is also receiving a 10 percent rating for his traumatic brain injury without residuals prior to March 28, 2013, with no further increase in rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus did not begin during service and is not related to noise exposure in service. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is a result of noise exposure during his military service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to his military service, resolving doubt in favor of the Veteran.