Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the case requires further development due to conflicting medical opinions and missing records. The Veteran's claims for service connection, hearing loss disability, tinnitus, rhinitis, lung cancer, and back disability will be remanded for additional examination and review.

The Veteran requested withdrawal of the appeal regarding residuals of dental trauma. The remaining claims for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and lung disorder are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain medical records and provide a VA examination to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for chronic low back disorder, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, and bilateral hearing loss were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of peripheral neuropathy in either the upper or lower extremities, and thus service connection could not be granted.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, rated at 60% combined, meet the criteria for a TDIU rating due to his inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran is found to have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which are related to his military noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are causally related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected as they are related to his military service, specifically exposure to noise during active duty.

The Board found that the cause of the Veteran's death was not related to his active duty service or any service-connected disability, including PTSD.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is found to be related to in-service noise exposure, and service connection for this condition is granted.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss remains pending as further examination is required to determine if it is related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty military service. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and his service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to confirm current disability levels and establish a medical nexus between his military service and these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service. The claims will be readjudicated after this development.

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

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to fully and fairly consider the merits of the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. This includes obtaining his military records, conducting a VA examination, and clarifying whether he experiences tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset in service and granted service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claim for ischemic cardiomyopathy due to herbicide exposure is being remanded as it involves a potential Gulf War exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate explanation of the medical significance of the 'temporal distance' between the onset of tinnitus and the relationship between in-service acoustic trauma and tinnitus. The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is now pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are secondary to his service-connected psoriasis, warranting service connection.