Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2010

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that both conditions are related to in-service acoustic trauma exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his service, specifically exposure to acoustic trauma during military service. As a result, the claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss disability, and recurrent tinnitus. However, further development is needed as VA's duty to assist has not been fully met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are as likely as not related to his active service, including exposure to loud noise from aircraft. As a result, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's asthma and tinnitus are not related to his military service, including any exposure during his Persian Gulf service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete development of his private treatment records and the need for VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, with no new evidence presented to reopen the claims. The VA examiners found that the current hearing loss is less likely as not caused by or a result of military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are related to in-service noise exposure, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hearing loss in his right ear meeting VA compensation criteria, and thus service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are considered multifactorial with no specific military influence identified.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a personal hearing at the RO.

The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied the claims of hypertension and CVA residuals as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA audiological examination and obtaining any additional VA treatment records. The Veteran's service connection claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone are found to preclude substantially gainful employment, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The case is being remanded for further action due to the Veteran's request for a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's combined rating is 60 percent, which does not meet the percentage standards for a TDIU rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a). The Board finds that an extraschedular total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA disability benefits information. The Veteran's hearing impairment and tinnitus are to be evaluated by a VA examiner.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus was incurred in service due to his exposure to noise during combat, and thus grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied service connection for a left hand condition, as well as back condition. Tinnitus is found to be related to active service. The left hand condition is not considered secondary to the right leg fracture.