Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2010

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, hypertension, and acquired visual loss due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a need for clarification regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and an earlier effective date have been withdrawn. The Board has dismissed these issues.

The Veteran's appeals for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been withdrawn. The remaining issues of service connection for muscle spasms of the thoracic spine and a left knee disorder are addressed in this decision.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD due to the lack of a diagnosed condition and credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor. The right leg disorder was also denied as there is no current diagnosis or link between the Veteran's current symptoms and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the nature and etiology of his claimed bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left ear infection, and skin disability. The claims will be readjudicated after all necessary steps are taken.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of left ear labyrinthitis, including hearing loss, tinnitus, and cochlear insult. The psychiatric disorder claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and onset of his mental health issues.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and as a result, the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is considered incurred in service. Similarly, the Board has also determined that the Veteran's tinnitus was incurred in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that there was no probative and positive medical nexus evidence revealing a relationship between his current tinnitus disability and his service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim for service connection for residuals of head trauma, including tinnitus, headaches, deafness, seizures, ptosis, nausea and vomiting, brain tumor. The Veteran's symptoms were present prior to his 1986 surgery.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic stress disorder and chronic prostatitis, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his military service, including exposure to noise during active duty.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of in-service noise exposure or current disability. Service connection was not granted for interstitial fibrosis as the claim is not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are found to be related to his military service. The increased evaluation for PTSD is granted, with a rating of 50 percent effective September 22, 2008. TDIU due to service-connected disability is also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Multiple Sclerosis and Anxiety Disorder, are severe enough to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The decision grants a TDIU effective July 3, 2008.

The Board has granted the Veteran service connection for left knee strain and Meniere's syndrome with tinnitus, but denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II. The Board found that diabetes mellitus type II was not incurred or aggravated in active service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's contentions of ringing in his ears since service are credible and supported by a VA examiner's opinion. The hearing loss claim is remanded due to inadequate development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and conducting examinations to determine the nature and etiology of various conditions.