Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service, and the Board finds that he has established service connection for this condition. The left wrist disability claim remains pending as there are conflicting opinions regarding its onset.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and otitis externa are all related to his active duty service. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right arm and shoulder disability, claimed as secondary to his left shoulder disability, cannot be reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The claims for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, peripheral neuropathy of the BUE, psychiatric disability, vision loss, hypertension, sexual dysfunction, and bilateral feet problems are all denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to noise exposure during his military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and residuals of a left foot injury, as well as his claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss. The evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and may not be presumed to have been so incurred or aggravated.

The Veteran's initial ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there is no basis for a higher rating under the applicable VA regulations.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus does not cause a serious employment handicap, and he is therefore not entitled to vocational rehabilitation benefits under Chapter 31.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not related to his service, as they first manifested many years after separation from active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and Morton's neuroma with osteoarthritis of the right foot were denied. The claim for an increased rating for low back strain was also denied, but remanded due to conflicting evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issue of bilateral hearing loss to obtain a VA audiological examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a stomach disability due to new and material evidence. However, it denied his claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an increased rating for status post tonsillectomy.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder is not entitled to an evaluation in excess of 30 percent, and his claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including verifying the Veteran's claimed noise exposure and obtaining VA audiological examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there was no medical evidence linking the current disabilities to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for hearing loss in the right ear was denied as his current level of disability does not meet the criteria for any higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to October 2, 2006 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus is granted. The effective date is set at November 20, 1987, which is the day following his separation from active duty.