Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO due to scheduling issues, and a personal hearing will be rescheduled for him.

The Board has determined that the evidence is not sufficient to grant service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and has therefore remanded the case for further development.

The Veteran's TDIU rating is granted with an effective date of April 1, 2006. The Board found that the Veteran was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of his service-connected disabilities as of April 1, 2006.

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

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining recent VA treatment records and providing a new VA audiological examination.

The Veteran does not have hearing loss, tinnitus, or an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, Adjustment Disorder, and Depressive Disorder) that is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of in-service injury or noise exposure. The Veteran's current symptoms have been attributed to other causes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, left knee shell fragment wound residuals, tinnitus, degenerative changes of the left knee, and varicosities of the left leg, render him unemployable. The Board has determined that his service-connected disabilities alone preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not meet the criteria for service connection as they are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's ear disability, including hearing loss, tinnitus, and otalgia, was not incurred or aggravated by service. The Board found no credible evidence linking the current hearing loss to service, and concluded that it is more likely due to age-related factors (presbycusis). For PTSD, the Veteran's disability picture does not meet the criteria for a 70% rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there is no clinical evidence of record linking any claimed conditions to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disorder is not shown to be due to a disease or injury in service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are granted as the evidence supports these conditions having onset during or being related to military service.

The Board has determined that a more detailed examination and opinion are needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, and Meniere's syndrome.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and need for a new VA or VA-authorized examination at an agreed upon location. The Veteran's lay statements will be considered along with all other evidence of record.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus is likely due to his exposure to loud noise during combat service.

The Veteran's depression is now granted as secondary to his service-connected low back strain. The issue of tinnitus has been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing it.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities have been withdrawn. The case is being remanded to further evaluate his claims for tinnitus, PTSD, and TDIU.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to verify the Veteran's reported stressors and obtain relevant unit histories. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to determine whether he suffers from PTSD due to verified stressors, as well as for an audiological examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be incurred in service, and his acquired psychiatric disorder is not shown to be related to service or any service-connected condition.