Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and clarifying the relationship between his current hearing loss and noise exposure in the Wisconsin Air National Guard.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, in combination, have not been shown to be of such severity as to preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not alone preclude him from obtaining and retaining all forms of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and work experience.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest in service or within one year thereafter, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, with the latter being more likely than not due to his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA audiological testing results and relevant treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to the need for medical opinions regarding his hearing loss, tinnitus, and fungal condition of the groin, feet, legs, and ears.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected as they were incurred during his active military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied the remaining claims. Service connection is granted for tinnitus as it was incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active duty, and thus denied both claims.

The Board found that prior to June 17, 1998, the appellant was not unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities. Therefore, an earlier effective date for the TDIU rating is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were found to be service-connected. His bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, while his tinnitus was granted service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The RO found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher schedular evaluations under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and Coast Guard Reserve personnel records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and Tinnitus, finding that there was no credible supporting evidence of a verified in-service stressor for PTSD and noting the Veteran's tinnitus is related to acoustic trauma in service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, including noise exposure during military service. As a result, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his current conditions.