Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2010

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest in service or within one year thereafter, and there was no credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service. As such, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active duty service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss have rendered him unemployable due to his inability to perform substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and occupational background.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to new evidence received by the RO and a need to issue a VCAA letter on service connection for tinnitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active duty service. The evidence did not establish a link between his current conditions and military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are not related to military service, and therefore denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted with an effective date of November 3, 1970.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and arranging for a VA examination to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of his hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, with evidence supporting a nexus between these conditions and his military exposure. As such, both claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral tinnitus, hypertension, neuropathy of the lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to protect himself from the hazards and dangers of his daily environment without the regular aid and assistance of another person, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for the aid and attendance of another person.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his military service. The hearing loss disability issue remains pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, hearing loss, traumatic amputation of the right thumb, hypertension, and tinnitus, preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that he is entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right eye disability and denied his claims for tinnitus. The reopening was based on new evidence showing posterior vitreous separation, nuclear sclerosis, cortical cataracts, mild blepharitis, and pterygium in both eyes. Service connection for tinnitus was not granted as there is no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus during service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied, while the claim for hypertension secondary to PTSD was also denied. The decision did not address service connection for coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating allowed under DC 6260. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as there is no legal basis to assign a single disability rating greater than 10 percent for tinnitus.

The Veteran requested an earlier effective date for service connection of tinnitus, but withdrew the appeal in April 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea, right and left shoulder tendonitis, depressive disorder, cervical spondylosis, lumbar degenerative discs, a left knee disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a left pelvic disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, sinus residuals of a rhinoplasty and septoplasty, a left foot disorder, hypertension, genitourinary (urethral) disorder, and rosacea on the nose, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since April 1, 2001. The Board finds that his service-connected disabilities meet the percentage criteria for TDIU throughout the entire appeal period.