Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities meet the percentage criteria for a TDIU, as they are rated at 60 percent combined.

The case is being remanded for further development and consideration of the appellant's claim, including providing proper notice under Hupp v. Nicholson and readjudicating the claim considering all evidence since December 2007.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent has been assigned.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence to support a finding of in-service injury or disease resulting in current disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest during his military service, nor were they aggravated by such service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for tinnitus and remanded it for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if there is a link between current tinnitus and military noise exposure. The Veteran's private physicians suggested a possible link but did not provide a comprehensive review of his medical history or examine him.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus did not originate during any period of active service, inactive duty training, or any other period. The evidence does not support a finding that the current tinnitus is related to service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and his service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is likely due to exposure to acoustic trauma during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The hearing loss claim remains pending as it requires additional development.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus during service, and the medical evidence did not support a link between current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus and service. As such, the Veteran's claims for service connection were denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, including noise exposure. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder disability but denied service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's left shoulder strain is related to his active service, while there is no evidence of current tinnitus that could be attributed to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, bilateral heel spurs, and left leg disorder (to include knee) are all service-connected.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and multiple knee replacements, render him unemployable.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right wrist disability, and neck disability were all denied as there is no competent medical evidence of current disabilities or a link to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to exposure to acoustic trauma during military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. However, tinnitus was not attributable to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to military service, while his erectile dysfunction is not proximately due to or aggravated by his diabetes mellitus. His peripheral neuropathy in the upper extremities was considered a complication of his diabetes mellitus. However, he did not meet the criteria for an increased rating for his type II diabetes mellitus.

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

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for deep vein thrombosis of the right lower extremity has been dismissed due to his withdrawal. The issue of tinnitus is remanded for further development.