Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's initial evaluations for tinnitus, right ear hearing loss, and PTSD are denied as the maximum schedular ratings have been assigned.

The Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred or aggravated as a result of active service. The weight of the evidence does not establish that his current symptoms are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a personal hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and tinnitus, which occurred from the same etiology or action, meet the schedular threshold for a TDIU on May 11, 2007. The effective date of this decision is set at May 11, 2007.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are being remanded due to inadequate notice and the need for additional development regarding herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the submission of new medical evidence that needs to be reviewed by VA.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional medical records and to schedule a VA examination for the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus claims.

The Board denied the appellant's request for an earlier effective date for service connection of prostatitis, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and hypertension. The issues related to PTSD, right ankle shell fragment wound, low back strain, and left ankle shell fragment wound were also addressed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were generally granted, with some issues remanded. The cervical spine disability was granted a higher rating after April 26, 2006, while other conditions like gastritis, hemorrhoids, headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome in the left wrist, PTSD, tinnitus, hypertension, and vertigo/dizziness (claimed as dizziness) were not established as service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional service records and for further examination. The claims will be re-adjudicated after the development.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied service connection for a prostate disorder, sinusitis, and tinea versicolor (claimed as a skin rash). The Veteran's tinnitus is presumed to have been incurred in service due to noise exposure. His prostate disorder, sinusitis, and tinea versicolor are not considered to be related to his active service.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for further examination and consideration of all service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD), and tinnitus were not shown to be related to service. The Board found no evidence of these conditions in service or for many years after discharge.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and the need for further examination to determine if the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his period of active service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, but finds that additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for a broken tooth due to lack of evidence of dental trauma during active duty. The remaining issues are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, specifically exposure to noise trauma during his military career as an aircraft mechanic. Service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the claimant.