Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected as they do not meet the criteria for a disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.385, and there is no direct evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that there is no evidence linking the Veteran's tinnitus to service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no current disability for VA purposes and noting that the evidence does not show a nexus between his in-service acoustic trauma and his current symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current hearing disorders are at least as likely as not caused by or a result of his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss, PTSD with depression, and tinnitus) do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The evidence did not support a finding that the current conditions were related to his military service or exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not manifest during or as a result of active military service and denied his claim for service connection. The Board also noted that there was no evidence showing tinnitus, leading to its denial.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, varicose veins of the right leg, chronic duodenal ulcer, varicose veins of the left leg, and tinnitus, are considered in determining his employability. The case is REMANDED for a VA examination to evaluate the impact of these conditions on his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that a new examination is necessary to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in the need for aid and attendance or being housebound. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain a VA examination and opinion regarding whether his service-connected disabilities render him unemployable. The case will be readjudicated after the examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus prior to a decision being made by the Board.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a skin disorder and granted it, finding that new and material evidence had been submitted. Service connection is also granted for tinnitus. The remaining issues of service connection are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 8, 2006 for the grant of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, bilateral tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and ringworm of the bilateral legs was denied as there is no indication that he submitted a formal or informal claim within one year of his discharge from service. The earliest possible effective date is December 8, 2006, the day the Veteran's claims were received by the RO.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, but he does not have a right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence linking the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus to his active service, and thus denied these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to December 21, 2002 and April 19, 2006 for service connection of generalized anxiety disorder with bipolar disorder and major depression, and bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The appeal was also reopened on new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional VA treatment records.

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