Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral pes planus, or for an initial compensable rating for left shoulder osteoarthritis. His hearing loss was not related to military noise exposure, but his tinnitus is etiologically related to service. PTSD and chronic depression were not found to be service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting the criteria for a hearing loss disability or tinnitus, respectively. The Board notes that the Veteran's DD Form 214 should be obtained to determine his military occupational specialty.

The Board has granted service connection for a tonsil disability, which represents a complete grant of the benefit sought on appeal. The Veteran's long-standing history of tonsillitis is presumed to have existed prior to her military service.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and granted service connection. The Veteran's current hearing loss is related to his active duty service, as evidenced by his exposure to noise during service. Tinnitus was not shown in service or related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are not related to his active service, as evidenced by pre-existing conditions at entry into service and no evidence of aggravation during service. As such, the claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to address whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have service connection for left ear hearing loss or tinnitus. The evidence shows no in-service complaints of, or treatment for, these conditions.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to assess the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as these conditions may be related to in-service noise exposure. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further evaluation due to the complexity of determining his ability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation given his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus due to service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current tinnitus is of service origin and grants service connection for this condition. The remaining issues are remanded for further examination and evaluation.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral knee disorder. The right ear hearing loss claim is remanded due to inadequate VA examination findings.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to noise exposure during active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner and considering new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to secure pertinent records and obtain VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were denied as there is no medical evidence showing these conditions are related to his active service, including noise exposure. The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence was against the claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA audiological and psychiatric examinations to address the claims of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disk disease and strain, right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, and residuals of Cesarean section are not service-connected as her current conditions did not manifest during active duty or within one year thereafter.

The Veteran's tinnitus is at issue, and a VA examination is needed to determine its etiology. The appeal will be remanded for further development.