Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2012

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of entitlement to a total rating based on individual unemployability due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for further development.

The Veteran's failure, without good cause, to report for a VA compensation examination needed to determine if his service-connected disabilities render him unemployable has resulted in the denial of his TDIU claim.

The Board has found that the appellant's tinnitus is related to active duty service and granted service connection for tinnitus. The decision on bilateral hearing loss will be remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not meet the criteria for service connection, as there was no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his military service.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus has been granted, with the Veteran receiving a 50% rating effective July 31, 2007.,The skin disability claim is pending further examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that tinnitus had its onset during active military service and granted the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active duty service, with continuity of symptomatology since service. The preponderance of evidence supports these findings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's nausea is considered a symptom of his service-connected right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, which are already established. The Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, arthritis of the finger, arthritis of the shoulder, cold weather residuals of the lower and upper extremities. The preponderance of the evidence is against finding any current disabilities are related to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service, while his hypertension does not appear to be linked to his service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not timely file a substantive appeal regarding his claims of service connection for heart disease, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral tinnitus. The claim of service connection for chronic lymphocytic leukemia was denied due to lack of evidence of exposure to herbicides or service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for duodenal ulcer was granted, with a current rating of 20 percent.,Service connection for tinnitus and migraines were both granted. The Veteran is not shown to have pes planus or flat feet.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are not resolved and requires additional development, including VA examinations to address his hearing loss, tinnitus, GERD, and low back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are related to his military noise exposure, which is considered direct service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA audiology examination to assess the severity of his hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not have their onset during active military service, nor are they presumed to have been incurred in active duty. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and to obtain relevant treatment records. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the increased rating issue, so it must be remanded as well.

The Board found that the Veteran's current tinnitus did not begin during service or for many years thereafter, and there is no credible evidence linking his current condition to military service or a service-connected disability. The preponderance of the evidence does not support the claim.