Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's periodontal disease was found to be service-connected and eligible for VA outpatient dental treatment.,A right knee disability was also found to be service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus must be remanded due to inadequate VA examination, and further development is needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hearing loss for VA compensation purposes and his tinnitus is not related to service. The claims of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, plantar fasciitis, left ankle condition, left wrist condition, morphea scleroderma, sinus condition, and eye condition are denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may they be presumed to have been incurred in service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, specifically noise exposure while working in engine rooms aboard ships.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and sinus disability due to lack of a current disability meeting VA criteria. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing onset or causation in service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% disabling, and his other service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for a TDIU rating.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have tinnitus related to his service and denied the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of a hearing loss disability in service or within one year post-service. The weight of the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and left arm disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development including medical examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and ankle sprain residuals have been denied as there is no competent evidence of current disabilities related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions, including a back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, left leg and knee disorders. The evidence submitted was not considered new and material to reopen any of these claims.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to active service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The claims of service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, right ankle disability, and left knee disability are pending.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. This includes obtaining complete VA treatment records, private treatment records from Dr. Sumrall, and a VA audiological examination.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss disabilities do not meet the criteria for a schedular TDIU. The Board has also determined that referral to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service is warranted for consideration of an extraschedular TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of current disabilities or a link between his military service and these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to active duty service.