Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2010

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of reopening a tinnitus service connection is remanded for further development, including an examination to determine if tinnitus exists and whether it is related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a current disability for service connection purposes related to bilateral hearing loss and left ear tinnitus. The VA examiner found no evidence of in-service noise exposure, and there is insufficient medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear findings in service records regarding hearing loss and tinnitus. Clarification is needed before a decision can be made.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. He currently has bilateral hearing loss which was neither incurred in nor aggravated by active service. He currently has tinnitus which was neither incurred in nor aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of tinnitus was granted with an effective date of June 29, 1993. The Board found that the earliest communication indicating intent to apply for service connection of tinnitus is the June 29, 1993, VA Form 21-526.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA audiological evaluation to determine if he has bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus related to service exposure. The Veteran also needs an examination to assess the etiology of his tinnitus.

The Veteran's tinnitus, hearing loss, and asbestos exposure were all found to be service-connected for accrued benefits purposes.

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

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected tinnitus has been withdrawn. The issue of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for service-connected left ear hearing loss is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess his ability to work given his service-connected conditions, including hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not present an unusual disability picture that renders application of the regular rating schedule provisions impracticable. The Board found no basis for referral for consideration of an extraschedular rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, as there was no evidence of such conditions in service or within one year postservice. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the appellant's hearing loss and tinnitus, specifically whether they are related to noise exposure during active duty training in the National Guard.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus of the left ear was denied. The RO granted service connection for scars of the forehead, left eyebrow, nose, and chin with a 0 percent rating effective June 22, 2004. However, none of these issues were rated as compensable.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and assigned a 10 percent disability rating. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is rated at 10 percent, while his right plantar fasciitis remains noncompensable.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are related to his military service, granting his claims for these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has tinnitus that was incurred during his active military service as a result of exposure to loud noises in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus during service or within one year after service. The VA examination did not find a link between current hearing loss and tinnitus and service.