Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2008

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral tinnitus, and hearing loss, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination to determine if the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service on board the U.S.S. Hissem.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the veteran's current hearing loss is more likely than not incurred in active service due to noise exposure.,Service connection for tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence showing a causal relationship between the condition and active duty.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but further development is needed to determine their etiology.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder injury, knee disorder, tinnitus, finger amputation, and thigh gunshot wound scar, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further evidentiary development, including a VA compensation examination and consideration of evidence regarding in-service noise exposure.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as they existed prior to service. The TDIU claim is also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus/tunnelitis are related to service, and thus service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA audiologic examination to determine if the veteran's tinnitus is related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran's claim for TDIU was denied as he does not meet the threshold requirements for a schedular TDIU due to his combined rating of 40 percent. The Board found that the veteran is not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities and thus, TDIU benefits are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, including noise exposure in service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of in-service hearing loss or tinnitus. The right wrist scar claim was granted but not increased.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of an increase in disability during service or a link to service.

The Board has denied service connection for a right low back disorder due to lack of evidence of an in-service injury and the absence of continuity of symptomatology. Service connection is granted for inner ear disorders (vertigo and dizziness) secondary to service-connected tinnitus, but further examination is needed as the issue remains pending.

The VA determined that the veteran does not have bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, or PTSD as a result of his military service.,Specifically, the VA found no evidence of current disabilities related to these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hepatitis C, PTSD, and essential tremors of both hands due to lack of credible evidence supporting the occurrence of claimed stressors related to combat.

The Board has determined that the effective date for service connection of tinnitus cannot be earlier than September 8, 2004.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current left ear hearing loss or right ear hearing loss, and his tinnitus did not begin in service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.