Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2010

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

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent from January 17, 2007. His bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are both rated at the maximum allowed under their respective diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and lung disorder (emphysema and COPD) were not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor can they be presumed to have been incurred due to exposure to asbestos or ionizing radiation. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus, but denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were granted, but his claim for a bilateral knee disorder was denied due to lack of evidence showing service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection. The Veteran is currently rated at 10 percent for residuals of prostate cancer, varicose veins of the right leg, hemorrhoids, and degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine with right arm radiculopathy.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are likely due to his documented acoustic trauma exposure during active duty. The dental disability claim is denied as there is no evidence of a compensable disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased initial disability ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for tinnitus or chip fracture of the right great toe, and there was no moderate foot disability to warrant a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of records, including private treatment records from Dr. O'Day.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for his left shoulder disability, service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional evidentiary development including verifying dates of service, obtaining outstanding service treatment records, and affording the Veteran VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and a bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link to active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination by an appropriate physician to assess his employability based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the appellant's current tinnitus is not related to noise exposure in service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to further development being required, including additional evidence and examination.

The Veteran's claim for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities was denied as no current diagnosis could be established. The claims for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and erectile dysfunction are pending further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation, and the current conditions are not related to service. The spine and knee issues remain pending.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, specifically in-service acoustic trauma. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, a chronic disorder manifested by low back pain, and hypertension. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions are related to service.