Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his in-service noise exposure and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the schedular requirements for assignment of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran did not have a current disability as defined by VA regulations. The Board also found no evidence of chronic symptoms during or after service.

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

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and requests for additional records, including from Cedar-Sinai Medical Care Foundation. The Veteran is also requested to provide information regarding his treatment history post-service.

The Veteran's service-connected skin erythema has been rated at a noncompensable level since the date of service connection, November 29, 2007. The Board finds that a rating by analogy to urticaria under Diagnostic Code (DC) 7825 is warranted for this period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The claims of entitlement to higher ratings for synostosis and convalescence have been withdrawn by the Veteran. Service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD. However, all of his remaining claims concerning his neck, back, left leg, right leg, left knee, and tinnitus need to be remanded due to incomplete service records.

The Board has determined that there is no competent and credible evidence linking the Veteran's current tinnitus to his military service, including noise exposure. The August 2006 VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's tinnitus is not related to his service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for tinnitus and hearing loss was dismissed. The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to October 8, 2009, and a rating in excess of 40 percent from October 8, 2009, forward, for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence linking the Veteran's left knee disability or tinnitus to service, and thus denied both claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating higher than 10 percent for tinnitus are being remanded due to scheduling issues. The Veteran requested a hearing before the Board, which has been granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are found to be related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a cold injury of the right hand. The remaining claims, including those related to PTSD, diabetes mellitus due to Agent Orange exposure, and other conditions, are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and hearing loss, have rendered him unable to obtain or retain employment consistent with his abilities, aptitudes, and interests. The Board has granted vocational rehabilitation benefits for a law degree.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, as he waited over 20 years to file a claim. The examiner must provide an opinion on whether these conditions are at least as likely as not etiologically-related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities do not warrant a compensable rating or an increased rating, respectively. The evidence does not show that his hearing acuity is more severe than indicated by the VA audiological evaluations conducted over several years, nor does it demonstrate significant interference with employment beyond what is contemplated by the current ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal of his hepatitis C claim is withdrawn. The Board also found that there was no evidence to support a service connection for hepatitis C, and thus denied this claim.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a bilateral ankle disability, and a lung disability. The Veteran was provided with VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.