Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2010

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in the VA audiologist's opinion regarding tinnitus and noise exposure during service.

The Board finds that the appellant's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus had their inception during active service, and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes and there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or tinnitus. Therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus cannot be granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Meniere's disease with right ear hearing loss and tinnitus warrants a rating of 30 percent, effective from November 1, 2007. However, the Board found that the evidence does not support a higher initial rating due to lack of cerebellar gait.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board found that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims of bilateral hearing loss, pinched nerve in left shoulder and arm, skin disability other than vitiligo, tinnitus, CAD, CVD, bilateral eye disability, peripheral neuropathy, and PVD.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating of service-connected bilateral hearing loss was granted, and a compensable rating (30%) was assigned effective January 22, 2008. The Board also found that the Veteran incurred tinnitus during active service.

The Veteran is granted service connection for tinnitus and generalized anxiety disorder, as these conditions are found to be related to his active duty service.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, lung nodules, and peripheral neuropathy are related to his service, with a presumption of exposure to Agent Orange. However, the skin cancer is not presumed due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the claim for bilateral hearing loss. The Board also found that tinnitus was neither incurred in nor aggravated by active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling an examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to obtain substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and a left great toe disability. The decision also noted that his claim for an increased rating for residuals of avulsion fracture of the distal metatarsal and hallux valux with Austin bunionectomy of the right foot was continued at 20 percent effective from the date his claim for increase was received.

The Veteran's claim for permanent and total rating for basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hearing loss or tinnitus that is attributable to service, and his left elbow disability is not shown to be related to service. The VA examiner concluded that the current hearing loss was not related to acoustic trauma during his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, specifically his deployment in Desert Storm. The VA examination confirmed current hearing loss meeting VA criteria for a disability.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied service connection for skin cancer of the left arm (as secondary to service-connected left hand osteoarthritis), cancer of the lip, inner ear disorder (vertigo), and bilateral hearing loss. The decision on the issue of service connection for tinnitus is based on direct evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo. The evidence did not show a nexus between these conditions and military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or etiology related to his military service. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity remains pending and will be addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the appellant's current conditions are causally related to his time in service.