Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2011

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

The Veteran's tinnitus and left ankle osteoarthritis have been assigned the maximum schedular ratings available. The RO denied increased rating claims for these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including lumbar stenosis with herniated disc and radiculitis, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, residuals of frostbite to both hands, residuals of frostbite to both feet, and left lower shin dermatitis. The case will be returned to the RO after completion of this development.

The Veteran is in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected conditions, including PTSD with dysthymic disorder, dumping syndrome, and other disabilities. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are not related to service, as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the need for an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service or a medication used to treat a service-connected disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and a VA examination to address the Veteran's claim of tinnitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current tinnitus and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial increased evaluation for PTSD, a noncompensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, and a restoration of a 10 percent evaluation for tinnitus. The reduction from 10 to zero percent for tinnitus was found to be proper.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine their etiology.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current hearing loss or tinnitus disabilities as defined by VA regulations, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's initial ratings for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are denied as the schedular evaluations meet his disability levels. The appeal regarding service connection for a respiratory disorder is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to an effective date prior to July 6, 1987 for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's right knee disorder is not considered service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity were denied as there is no current diagnosis or evidence of a disability in service.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the right knee disability, finding that it meets the criteria under DC 5258 based on meniscal tears and effusion. The other issues of service connection have been addressed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is as likely as not related to his military service, and therefore grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral tinnitus is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active duty service, including noise exposure during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and denied his claim for service connection.