Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2010

The case is being remanded for further examination and consideration of the Veteran's TDIU claim due to his service-connected disabilities, including postconcussion headaches, tinnitus, and a nasal scar.

The Veteran's service connection for multiple disabilities, including PTSD and hearing loss, was granted effective June 13, 2008. The effective date is based on the receipt of his VA Form 21-526 application in June 2008.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran experienced ringing in his ears during and after service. Service connection was denied for a cervical spine disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability, a disability of the eyelid, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were all denied. The Board found no current evidence of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn. The claim for tinnitus was not granted as there is no medical evidence indicating a link between the condition and his military service. The Veteran's degenerative changes of the lumbosacral spine are currently rated at 20 percent, but an increased rating is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted with an effective date of November 14, 2005.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion from the VA audiologist who examined him in July 2008 and providing notice to the Veteran regarding his opportunity to secure private medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for vocational rehabilitation training under Chapter 31, Title 38, United States Code.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence meeting VA disability criteria. Service connection for tinnitus and basal cell carcinoma is pending as the Veteran's claims are not yet decided.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and arranging a supplemental opinion from a clinician to determine if the Veteran's tinnitus is causally related to active service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and recurrent right ankle sprains are all found to be service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case for another VA examination to determine if tinnitus is related to the Veteran's military service. The claim will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral defective hearing and tinnitus are at least as likely as not incurred in service, including from exposure to acoustic trauma during his military duties. The decision is based on the benefit of doubt being given to the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for the residuals of an injury to the right index finger is granted. However, his claims for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of tinnitus is related to his military service due to acoustic trauma during active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, without regard to any non-service-connected disabilities or his age, render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for the claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and skin cancer of the arms. The Board does not have jurisdiction to review these appeals as they have been dismissed.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including VA examinations and a remand to the RO for issuance of an SOC regarding the increased rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to service, and he is granted service connection. The initial evaluation for bilateral hearing loss remains noncompensable.