Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2010

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new evidence supports these claims. The Veteran's current hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure, and his tinnitus is also likely due to this same exposure.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is currently rated at 30 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating of 50 percent is warranted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no medical evidence establishing a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss were not incurred in service, as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The Veteran's lay testimony regarding when he first experienced these symptoms was inconsistent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, which combine to a schedular evaluation of 90 percent, likely do not allow him to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise in showing that he is unable to perform such work.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and need for further medical examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise on these issues. The Veteran's statements and testimony concerning noise exposure are credible as they align with his service record.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for tinnitus and hearing loss, finding that new evidence supports these claims. The case is now remanded to determine if service connection can be granted for chronic left ear disorder (otitis) and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bronchitis with granuloma, postoperative (lung disability), bilateral hearing loss, duodenal ulcer, tinea versicolor, arms and chest, and tinnitus, render the Veteran unemployable. The Board finds that entitlement to individual unemployability is warranted.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty military service and denied his claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an adequate VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran is scheduled for a VA examination to determine if his current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA audiologic examination and sending an amended VCAA notice letter.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus. The VA examiner concluded that there was insufficient evidence to support a nexus between the Veteran's current hearing loss and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records from the Morgantown Vet Center and Clarksburg VA Medical Center, arranging for a VA PTSD examination, and providing a VA general medical examination. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are considered in determining his eligibility for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and VA medical records, scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's tinnitus, and obtaining outstanding VA medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of appendicitis, pneumonia or its residuals, and a respiratory disorder other than pneumonia have been denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are pending. Additional medical examination and/or treatment records may be needed to determine the relationship between any current hearing or tinnitus disorders and his in-service noise exposure.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no current disability meeting VA criteria for a hearing loss disability or credible evidence of tinnitus related to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his service, including exposure to noise during his time in Vietnam. As a result, the claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which he claims are related to noise exposure during military service. The case is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to his service.

The Board has granted a 100 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected endolymphatic hydrops (vertigo) with tinnitus and sensorineural deafness, left ear.