Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2010

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for a supplemental opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus. The case will be remanded for further review.

The Veteran's combined rating for service-connected disabilities does not meet the minimum percentage requirements for a TDIU, and his disability is not shown to prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disorder. However, the Veteran's claims for lower jaw disability, neck disability, back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have all been denied as there is no clear or unmistakable evidence of aggravation by service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, including significant in-service noise exposure during combat operations in Vietnam. As such, the claims for service connection are granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is as likely as not attributable to in-service noise exposure, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for tinnitus and granted it, finding that current tinnitus had its onset in service.

The Veteran's residuals of a pilonidal cyst are not productive of limitation of function, and he was granted an initial noncompensable evaluation. The claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and right ear hearing loss were reopened but denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for service connection for tinnitus was also reopened but denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and a low back disability, as well as his request for an initial compensable rating for hearing loss. The appeal for service connection of the low back disability is dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no medical evidence to support a nexus between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active duty service, granting the claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and headaches were denied. The claim for residuals of injuries to the neck, low back, left arm, and left leg was granted with a specific effective date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, granting the benefit sought on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran meets the rating criteria for a TDIU and the Board finds that his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, cold injury residuals, and tinnitus, prevent him from securing and maintaining gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and an examination to assess his employability.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back, neck, and tinnitus disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by his period of active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of direct service connection. The decision also noted that the issue of service connection for vasomotor rhinitis is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and Meniere's disease. The decision found insufficient evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The VA Board found that the Veteran's current tinnitus is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, as he has maintained employment despite his disabilities until his voluntary retirement.