Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2009

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination reports and the need for additional evidence, including Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and further development is required.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus. The appeal is REMANDED to the RO for additional development.

The Board finds that the reduction in rating for hypertension from 60% to 10% was proper. The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as he meets the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board is remanding the case for further development to obtain medical records and a VA examination, as well as to consider service connection on both direct and mercury exposure bases.

The Veteran's service-connected recurrent tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum of 10 percent, and there is no legal basis for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to noise exposure during his military service, with aggravation of pre-existing conditions. The appeal is granted for both issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, and thus grants the claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing at the RO.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus and hearing loss have aggravated his Meniere's disease, warranting service connection for the symptoms of Meniere's disease as secondary to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, thus granting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a respiratory disorder, peripheral neuropathy, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence did not establish current diagnoses or show continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service. The evidence does not show a continuity of symptoms since service separation, nor is there any competent medical opinion linking current hearing loss and tinnitus to incidents during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and the need for additional examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further examination and consideration of the Veteran's statements regarding his hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss pre-existed service and was not permanently worsened during active duty. The claim for tinnitus was also denied as there is no evidence of current disability or a nexus to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased evaluations and service connection, finding that he was already receiving the maximum schedular evaluation for tinnitus and that his PTSD claim lacked legal merit.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for tinnitus and cold exposure residuals, finding new and material evidence. The claim for tinnitus is granted as it relates to a service-connected disability (bilateral hearing loss). The claim for cold exposure residuals remains pending due to further development being required.