Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted effective from September 22, 2005. The decision also reopened his previously denied claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are not related to his active service, and therefore denied these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is likely due to noise exposure during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling examinations to address his hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, and pes cavus.

The Board has determined that there is no new and material evidence to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and heart disorder. The original denial decisions are final.

The Veteran's tinnitus, diabetes mellitus (secondary to service-connected left knee disability), and right knee disability are all granted as direct service connection. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed tinnitus is etiologically related to his military service, and the Board grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not preclude him from obtaining and retaining all forms of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and work experience.

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

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing to be rescheduled at the earliest available opportunity.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical records and unclear service personnel records regarding the Veteran's claimed stressors.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him so helpless as to require the aid and attendance of another, meeting the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance. The claim for special monthly compensation at the housebound rate is moot due to the higher rate set for aid and attendance.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for folliculitis and tinnitus, finding that the earliest date of claim was June 7, 2006.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current hearing loss in his right ear and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Board also found no evidence of tinnitus, thus denying service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no direct evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a review of occupational audiological examination reports and an opinion from the February 2008 VA examiner regarding the relationship between his military service and current conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus has been withdrawn. The case is remanded for further development regarding the left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including consideration of service department records and a VA examination to determine if his current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his active military service, with noise exposure being the primary factor.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case is REMANDED for a new VA examination and opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current disabilities and his military service.