Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining employment, thus a total rating for compensation based upon individual unemployability is denied.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an increased rating for low back disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen his tinnitus claim is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated during his active duty service, thus denying his claims for service connection.

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

The Board has remanded the case back to the RO for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and attempting to verify a reported near miss from a rocket or mortar while serving in Vietnam. The claims will be readjudicated after this development.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss. The acquired psychiatric disorder is also found to be related to the service-connected head injury with residual headaches and dizziness.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by or substantially contributed to by a disability incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service. The criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 were also not met.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus that may be present.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus. The VA examiner's opinion was based on incorrect facts, and a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate medical examination.

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability that had been continuously rated totally disabling for at least ten years prior to his death. The claim is denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining new VA examinations to address his heart disorder, hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claims for service connection of ear disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. However, these claims were not granted as service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for certification for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his active duty service, granting the claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a chronic disease during service. The Veteran's current tinnitus is not related to his time in service.

The Board has ordered additional development of the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, including obtaining a 2004 VA audiological examination report. The case is now remanded to the RO for further action.

The Board finds that the Veteran currently has bilateral hearing loss which was incurred during his active military service as a result of exposure to loud noises. However, there is no evidence of tinnitus in service or for many years thereafter, and the Veteran does not have current tinnitus. Therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted, but service connection for tinnitus is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding no new and material evidence to reopen his right ear hearing loss claim. The VA examinations scheduled will help determine the current severity of his right knee disability and left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's tension headaches result in a disability picture that more nearly approximates very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability, warranting a 50 percent disability rating.