Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and obstructive sleep apnea are both granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of in-service noise exposure leading to current disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, when evaluated in association with his educational attainment and occupational experience, preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, as they began during his active duty in Vietnam.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of such conditions during service. The VA examiners concluded that the current hearing loss and tinnitus are more likely due to occupational and recreational noise exposure, and possibly sinus surgery.

The Veteran's current tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are found to be related to service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not have their onset during service or are otherwise related to his military service. The claim for type II diabetes mellitus is denied as there is no evidence of its manifestation within one year post-service, nor a continuity of symptoms since then.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current residuals of a left hamstring injury, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied. The right ankle and foot disorder is found to be as likely as not related to military service.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims for service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran's current right ear hearing loss disability is found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted. The Board found that the Veteran had some degree of hearing loss during his active service, which is now established as a current disability for VA purposes. Additionally, there is credible evidence linking the Veteran's current hearing loss to his in-service acoustic trauma. For tinnitus, the Veteran's consistent report of ringing in his ears since service was considered sufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that a new examination is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence in the current record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease. The pre-existing conditions were not aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that a new VA audiological examination is necessary to properly assess the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, as the previous opinions are inadequate.

The Veteran does not have tinnitus that is attributable to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and a supplemental medical opinion regarding the Veteran's tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for residuals, left shoulder disability with scar and residual scarring of left upper lobe of lung, status post radiation therapy were denied. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus did not have its onset during active service and is not related to any in-service disease, event, or injury. The Board also found that it is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a TDIU, including on an extra-schedular basis, due to the need for further development and consideration of his increased rating claim for service-connected lumbar spine disability. The VA will also consider whether he is eligible for a schedular TDIU based on his combined disability ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is causally or etiologically related to his active service and his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, warranting service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left ear hearing loss. The claim for an initial, compensable rating for left ear hearing loss and the request to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no diagnosed disability. The status of the claims for tinnitus, hypertension, right shoulder disability, and left collarbone disability are pending.