Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected as at least as likely as not caused by in-service noise exposure. His bilateral hearing loss has also been granted as service-connected due to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been reopened and is granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of service connection for tinnitus. For obstructive sleep apnea, the Board finds that there is not enough evidence to determine if it was caused by or related to service.

The appellant does not have recognized Federal service and therefore does not meet the requirements of basic eligibility for VA benefits. As a result, his claims are denied.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for tinnitus, which he claims began during his military service due to noise exposure. The VA examiner's opinion was inadequate as it did not consider the Veteran's statements about the onset of his tinnitus and did not provide sufficient rationale for its conclusion.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, adjustment disorder, and tinnitus have been rated as 100% disabling since July 24, 2007. The effective dates for the awards of TDIU, SMC based on housebound criteria, and eligibility to DEA benefits are all set at July 24, 2007.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability or tinnitus, and therefore cannot establish service connection for these conditions. The evidence is insufficient to link either condition to active military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to potential errors in the examination reports, lack of STRs, and conflicting evidence regarding current disability status.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his military service. The increased rating claim for duodenal ulcer is also granted. However, further development is needed for the claims of service connection for diverticulitis/GERD and abdominal aneurysm.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA hearing evaluation reports and clinical records. The Veteran is seeking service connection for tinnitus, both as a direct result of service and secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinion in a previous VA audiology examination, and the Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's active duty for training periods and further development is needed.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for an addendum opinion to address the Veteran's employability due to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran was not diagnosed with tinnitus, and his current bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at 50% since December 5, 2013.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, as evidenced by normal audiometric findings during service and no reported symptoms until after discharge. The VA medical opinion found that these conditions are not caused by or a result of exposure to high levels of noise while on active duty.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before a decision can be rendered in this case, including obtaining medical opinions and records.

The Veteran is service connected for Meniere's disease, bilateral hearing loss associated with Meniere's disease and tinnitus associated with Meniere's disease. The RO has assigned a combined disability rating of 60 percent. As the Veteran's service-connected disabilities all stem from a common etiology, the 60 percent combined rating meets the schedular criteria for assignment of a TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service. The remaining issues on appeal are referred back to the RO for further action.

The Board finds that the appellant's periods of AWOL following his combat tour in the Republic of Vietnam are justified due to compelling circumstances, and thus does not constitute a bar to VA benefits.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, hypothyroidism, a left foot disability, fingernail disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service exposure, resulting in a grant of service connection for both conditions.