Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the effects of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus on his employability.

The Board has determined that service connection is granted for tinnitus, but denied for neck disability due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his active service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the claims of service connection for residuals of a right hand injury, middle and ring fingers with degenerative joint disease and scarring of the left forearm, as well as the claims for increased evaluations for pes planus, chronic peroneal tendonitis, tinnitus, status-post left ring finger fracture, bilateral hearing loss, residuals of a left thumb injury, and residuals status-post polypectomy, colon polyps, with tubulovilous adenoma hiatal hernia with antral gastritis/gastroesophageal reflux disease post previous treatment for helicobacter pylori and chronic duodenitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbar spine disability, and hypertension were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence does not show a current disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be service-connected as it began during active duty and has continued since then.

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

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The evidence does not show occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and further evidentiary review.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and review of his service records. The issues are whether he has bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus that are related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not have their onset during service or within one year of separation, and were not due to any in-service noise exposure. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus is denied as the current rating adequately compensates his disability.,The criteria for entitlement to TDIU have not been met, as the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining records regarding alleged stressful events in Vietnam and VA examinations to determine the etiology of any diagnosed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated by service, and is therefore denied.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity and right lower extremity is granted as these conditions are associated with his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

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

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

Service connection for PTSD has been granted.,Pending decisions on service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 20 percent since July 6, 2011. The Board found that his tinnitus claim was not properly before the Board and remanded it for further action.