Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn with respect to the claims of service connection for a scar on the lungs, scars of the chest, facial scars due to chemotherapy, and residuals of dental extraction (numbness of the face), as well as a claim of entitlement to a compensable rating for residuals of a left orchidectomy.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been found to be related to service, and he is granted a 20 percent rating for his right knee instability since October 20, 2009. The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are currently rated based on limitation of motion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine if his current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran is in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected back disability, which requires assistance with all activities of daily living.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and notification requirements.

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

The Veteran seeks service connection for right ear hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, which he claims are related to noise exposure during active duty. The VA has requested a remand due to insufficient evidence in the current evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as the evidence does not support a link between his military service and these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as he does not have a current disability. The TDIU claim is remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for tinnitus, as the current diagnosis does not support a finding that it is related to military service. For erectile dysfunction, hearing loss, dyshydrosis, and hemorrhoids, the preponderance of the evidence did not support the assignment of compensable ratings.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, including as a result of noise exposure. The preponderance of evidence is against granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for migraines and remanded the case to obtain additional medical records, clarify the Veteran's disability picture, and schedule appropriate VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to unclear evidence of his employability by reason of service-connected disabilities. Additional development, including a medical examination and review of SSA records, is required.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for clarification of the June 2009 VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus based on the Veteran's credible statements of in-service stressors and noise exposure. The diagnoses are supported by VA medical records and expert opinions.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease. The VA examiner could not determine a nexus between current hearing loss and service due to the many years of occupational noise exposure.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bronchiectasis were both found to be incurred in service, with the Board granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by active service, and may not be presumed to have been so incurred or aggravated.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his previously denied bilateral hearing loss was received on December 9, 2002. The Board granted an effective date of March 21, 2003 for the award of service connection for tinnitus.,An earlier effective date of December 9, 2002 is granted for the award of service connection for tinnitus.