Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2011

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining National Guard treatment records and VA/VA Medical Center treatment records. The Veteran's tinnitus is also to be examined by a VA examiner, as are his bilateral knee, hand, wrist, and shoulder disorders if they were incurred during periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA).

The Veteran was granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus. The low back disorder is also service connected.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction (claimed as secondary to diabetes mellitus) has been established.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a request for a videoconference hearing. Service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, degenerative joint disease of the left knee, and degenerative joint disease of the right knee are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's renal cancer was caused by herbicide exposure and whether his service-connected disabilities contributed to his death. The appeal is now pending with the RO.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of his service-connected PTSD and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or any current disability due to such exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a retrospective medical opinion regarding whether her service-connected disabilities rendered her unemployable from April 5, 2006 to December 31, 2007. The case will be readjudicated after obtaining this information.

The Board found that tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as the newly submitted evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.

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 from private providers and a VA examination.

The evidence does not establish that the Veteran's current hearing loss or tinnitus are related to service, including noise exposure during service. The Board finds no direct service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, dermatitis or eczema, and a low back injury under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 was denied as there is no evidence that the Veteran's low back disability was caused by VA care.

The Veteran requested withdrawal of the claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, and the Board has dismissed this issue. The hearing on appeal is limited to the issue of a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete service records and missing VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic skin rash will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of right foot surgery, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence did not support a finding that any current disabilities were incurred or aggravated by military service.

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his PTSD severity and its impact on employment.

The Veteran's eczema was not incurred in service and the Board finds that there is no link between his current skin condition and military service.