Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2010

The Board finds that service connection for tinnitus is granted, as the Veteran's subjective complaints of ringing in his ears are supported by his military occupational specialty and current symptoms. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and right ear hearing loss, but denied service connection for an eye disorder and left ear hearing loss. The Veteran's tinnitus is presumed to have been incurred in service due to noise exposure during active duty. Right ear hearing loss was also found to be related to service, while the left ear hearing loss did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding whether any current hearing loss disability and/or tinnitus are related to noise exposure during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are likely due to noise exposure during active service. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or by being housebound due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is rated at 70 percent disabling, effective November 30, 2005. The claim for service connection for tinnitus has an effective date of November 30, 2005. A TDIU rating was granted effective March 31, 2000.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied by operation of law as he does not meet the criteria for a disability under VA regulations. The claim for an increased rating for tinnitus in excess of 10 percent evaluation is denied, and there is no legal basis for assigning separate schedular 10 percent disability ratings for bilateral tinnitus. The Veteran's claim for initial compensable rating for lumbar strain remains pending.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus. This includes obtaining VA medical records, scheduling a VA examination, and considering whether any current conditions are related to military service or other factors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have service connection for vertigo or tinnitus, as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Veteran's current left knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, and is therefore denied. The Board finds the evidence does not support a finding that his bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his bone and joint pain, hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus must be remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and arranging for an audiological examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein. The claim for tinnitus is remanded as it involves a separate issue.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and occupational background, thus meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus due to new and material evidence. However, a VA examination is needed to determine if his current tinnitus is related to noise exposure in service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, including noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of his exposure history.