Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral tinnitus. The veteran's tinnitus is not shown to have been incurred in or aggravated by active service, as there are no records indicating any hearing issues during his military service. His current tinnitus is also not related to a previously service-connected condition. For malaria, the Board found that an increased rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for right and left total knee replacements, as well as hearing loss and tinnitus. The evidence submitted since the last denial shows that the veteran was exposed to acoustic trauma in combat during his military service.,Service connection is granted for hearing loss and tinnitus, with doubt resolved in favor of the veteran.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination of the veteran's left leg and bilateral hearing loss/tinnitus. The issues are service connection for left leg disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as there is no remaining allegation of error in the determination denying service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the veteran's prostate cancer is service-connected due to exposure to herbicide agents, and his tinnitus may be related to military service. The veteran was granted service connection for prostate cancer.

The Board finds that service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, with a disability rating of 70 percent. The initial ratings for PTSD and shell fragment wound of the right neck and upper lip remain at 30 percent.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, or hypertension to his military service.,Service connection was denied for all three conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not submit new and material evidence to reopen his claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. As a result, these claims are denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic skin disorder, left ear hearing loss, and right ear tinnitus. The evidence did not establish a current disability or link to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to in-service noise exposure, and service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the evidence submitted by the veteran does not meet the criteria for reopening his previously denied claim of service connection for tinnitus.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and tinnitus, render him unemployable due to his physical impairment.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to new evidence. The claims are now granted as both conditions are found to be related to noise exposure during active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and bilateral hearing loss. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and needs to consider whether the veteran's unemployability is due to service-connected disabilities or other factors. The veteran's education, employment history, and vocational attainment will be considered.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The veteran's vasovagal syncope with asystole and pacemaker insertion is rated at 30 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of cold exposure of the hands, hearing loss, and tinnitus due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his employability. The VA needs to obtain an examination and opinion on the impact of his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, on his ability to work.