Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's current respiratory disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are not service-connected as they are not related to his military service or any in-service exposure. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a currently diagnosed respiratory disability at separation from service and there is no evidence of asbestos exposure during service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be causally related to service, and the Board grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was granted. The current disability rating remains at 50 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to service and grants service connection for this condition. The claim of a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal on this issue.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's claims were previously denied in February 2006 due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spondylosis warrants a 10 percent disability rating, effective from May 28, 2010. The Veteran's other claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and to reopen his claim for service connection for hypertension. The underlying issue of whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to active duty service will be addressed on remand.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, and therefore denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's overall disability rating is 80 percent, meeting the schedular standards for consideration of a TDIU. However, he does not meet the requirement of being unable to secure or follow substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities as he has been employed in managerial positions since at least November 1998 and can still perform some work duties despite his disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is being remanded due to insufficient evidence and the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have also been granted as they are related to noise exposure during military service.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development from his service records in the Texas Army National Guard.

Service connection granted for tinnitus, but denied for bilateral hearing loss.,Service connection granted for uterine fibroids with abdominal/pelvic pain with cramps and pressure.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current level of hearing loss is consistent with his military noise exposure during service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for tinnitus and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a current diagnosis and relates to service.,Service connection was denied for dizziness as there is no medical evidence linking the condition to active duty.

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

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and the appellant was awarded a $300 burial allowance. The Veteran was cremated and not buried in a cemetery or national cemetery, so neither the appellant nor the funeral home is eligible for a plot or interment allowance.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as the current ratings are considered adequate based on the criteria set forth in the rating schedule.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not meet VA criteria for a disability, and there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or treatment. Therefore, service connection was denied.