Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2011

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing evidence and a need to obtain relevant medical records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA ENT examination to determine if the Veteran's tinnitus is related to service. The claim will be considered on the basis of the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, as his claimed conditions (bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and Meniere's disease) are not shown to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

PTSD was rated at 30 percent from June 19, 2006 to July 19, 2007 and increased to 100 percent since then.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for TDIU prior to July 19, 2007.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions and treatment records, as well as to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination. The claims will be readjudicated following these actions.

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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to military service. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for headaches was remanded due to insufficient examination and the need for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for appropriate examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's in-service noise exposure is related to his current condition.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal, and the Board has dismissed the appeal due to this withdrawal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rated at 70% combined from August 18, 2006 to July 12, 2007 did not preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied an increased rating for anxiety reaction with tinnitus aurium, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown in service or for many years thereafter, and the most probative evidence fails to link these current disorders to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a bilateral knee disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, or respiratory disorder. The claims for these conditions are denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining medical records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his ear disability. The appeal will be remanded for these actions.

The Veteran's service-connected left ear hearing loss is granted, but his right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss are considered to be related to noise exposure during his military service, leading to a grant of service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, have rendered him unemployable due to his education and occupational experience. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.