Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's tinnitus was incurred in service due to acoustic trauma. The Board granted a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD, finding that the symptoms meet or approximate the criteria for such rating. The Veteran is also entitled to an initial compensable evaluation for erectile dysfunction and TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, including his periods of reserve duty.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to incomplete audiometric reports and the need for updated VA treatment records. A VA examination is also required to assess the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not begin during service or due to in-service noise exposure, and thus denied the claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is not related to service, including any noise exposure during service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's tinnitus was incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and conducting examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining an opinion regarding whether his combined disability rating renders him unemployable.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent for the period prior to September 25, 2000. The issue of service connection for a back disorder is still pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination reports and the need for further development of evidence regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient medical evidence regarding whether the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or any current disability. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and his asbestosis was not incurred due to exposure during service. The claims were denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for further evidentiary development due to new evidence submitted by the appellant.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the appellant's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as to consider all evidence of record.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not originate in service or for many years thereafter, and are not related to any incident during active service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus and has also reopened his claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss. The decision is based on direct evidence, as there was no prior denial of these claims.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and tinnitus have been granted service connection as they are presumed to be related to his military noise exposure in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) records and provide the Veteran with VA examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence does not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during service.