Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are found to be attributable to his active duty service. The Veteran is also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder, hearing loss disability, and tinnitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for tinnitus and sciatica to allow for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and an increased rating for achalasia with scarring from post esophageal surgery were denied. The Veteran was previously awarded service connection for achalasia with scarring from esophageal surgery, but the current appeal is about establishing a new basis for service connection or increasing his existing disability rating.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a residual scar of the right eyebrow, headaches, hearing loss and tinnitus are granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing at the RO. The issues of service connection for various conditions are under review.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left knee replacement, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and right knee degenerative joint disease, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain gainful employment. The Board grants a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hepatitis C. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions had onset in or were caused by his active military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, osteoporosis, bilateral heel spurs, a skin disorder (rash), and peripheral neuropathy were all denied. The Board found no current evidence of these conditions meeting VA criteria for disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a respiratory disorder. The decision found that his current conditions are not related to his active service or any aspect thereof.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the relationship between the Veteran's service and his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The appeal will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board finds that further RO action is needed before the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are adjudicated on the merits.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in relative equipoise regarding whether tinnitus is attributable to service, and grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. Effective March 1, 2006, his schedular rating is at least total.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need to verify his National Guard service records, particularly those from 1995 to 2001.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability and that his tinnitus is not causally related to service. Therefore, both claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for tinnitus and low back disability. The Veteran's PTSD claim remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for chondromalacia patella of the left knee, PTSD, tinnitus, and IBS. The Veteran's symptoms are linked to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD. The Board found that current evidence did not support a finding of in-service noise exposure or stressor events sufficient to establish service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims.