Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, and his skin disorders are not related to service. His hearing loss disability remains at a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an examination to assess the cumulative impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need for new VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal on all issues.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with resolution of doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board is remanding the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran currently has tinnitus due to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions to determine the likely etiology of his claimed conditions and whether they are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by his active duty service, nor are they otherwise related to such service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA audiology examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for tinnitus, did not find new and material evidence to reopen his claim of left ear hearing loss, but found service connection established for a low back disorder. The other claims were also denied.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and denied increased ratings for the Veteran's right knee and thigh disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding of service connection for tinnitus, and there was no medical evidence linking the current right knee and thigh conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded to allow for a VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus and hypertension have been granted service connection, with no specific rating assigned.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are likely due to noise exposure during his military service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus on his occupational functioning and daily activities. The case will also be readjudicated to determine if referral to the Director, Compensation and Pension Service, for extraschedular consideration is warranted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that his current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the tinnitus claim and concluding that there was insufficient evidence linking the current hearing loss disability to service.

The Board has determined that additional development of the evidence is required before a decision can be made on the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran currently suffers from tinnitus and there is a reasonable basis for attributing such disability to acoustic trauma during active service. The Board finds that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's tinnitus was incurred in active service, thus granting service connection.