Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current complaint of tinnitus is related to his in-service exposure to high levels of noise. The claim for residuals of electrocution (back/spine injury) was not addressed as it was withdrawn by the Veteran prior to a decision being made.,The Board granted service connection for residuals of electrocution, finding that the Veteran's current back/spine issues are related to his in-service electric shock incident.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, specifically his exposure as a field artillery specialist without proper hearing protection. As such, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating for this condition. The appeal regarding initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to address his claims of service connection for tinnitus and a bilateral foot disorder. The Board will consider these findings in their subsequent decision.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for left ankle and lumbar spine conditions have been withdrawn. The remaining claims of entitlement to service connection for recurrent tinnitus and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss are being remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service. The Veteran's statements and an opinion from audiologist D.N. support this determination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current respiratory and tinnitus disabilities are not related to his active service, as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during service or within one year post-service. The VA examiners have provided opinions indicating these conditions are unrelated to military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not shown to be of such a nature or severity to prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment prior to April 29, 2011.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus as secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The evidence supports a finding that the Veteran's tinnitus is at least as likely as not permanently aggravated by his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has ordered the case back to the RO for readjudication, including consideration of a recent VA opinion. The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are pending.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability prevents him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim has been reopened, and service connection is granted. Service connection for bilateral knee chondromalacia patella (patellofemoral syndrome) and degenerative disc disease at L5-L1 are also granted. The back disability claim is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not caused by noise exposure during service, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to in-service herbicide exposure, and for tinnitus. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, schedule a VA examination, and readjudicate the TDIU claim. The issues of service connection for depression and increased evaluations for right ankle and bilateral knee disabilities are also being addressed.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his service, specifically the artillery fire operations he was involved in. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened, and both conditions are now granted as they are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to an issue with the hearing notification. The Board will attempt to schedule a videoconference hearing at the appropriate location.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.