Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case is REMANDED for a VA audiological examination, review of relevant medical records, and consideration of the issues on appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his active duty service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, and he has CLL presumed due to herbicide exposure in Guam. His other disabilities are not found to be related to his service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and for a comprehensive examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities alone are sufficiently severe to produce unemployability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional treatment records. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, including acoustic trauma from noise exposure. The VA examinations did not find any evidence of in-service injury or disease leading to these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected, as there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The vision impairment was also not linked to his service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to sexual assaults in service, and she meets the criteria for service connection. Her bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are not found to be related to her active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus was not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's combined rating for his service-connected disabilities (low back syndrome, tinnitus, and left ear hearing loss) is 50%, which does not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted with an effective date of October 10, 2007. The Board has determined that the original denial in December 29, 2006 rating decision is not final and the matter remains pending.

The case is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and complete the examination process for a medical opinion regarding employment issues. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence and information.

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

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the appellant's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran has residuals of childbirth, including cystocele, urinary incontinence and hemorrhoids, tinnitus, and a left elbow disorder that began during her military service. Residuals of childbirth are granted. Tinnitus is granted. A left elbow disorder is denied.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to potential inconsistencies in the previous examination results.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for tinnitus has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of continuity of symptomatology or a nexus to service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not render him unemployable, as they do not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU. The Board finds that referral for extraschedular consideration is not warranted.