Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is rated as 10 percent disabling, the maximum schedular rating available.,Tinnitus has been assigned a 10 percent rating, which is the maximum schedular evaluation.

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

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's accounts of experiencing tinnitus from active service forward are credible and consistent with his military occupational specialty. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including anxiety reaction with a history of PTSD and multiple physical impairments, render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board grants the TDIU.

The appellant's combined disability rating is 70%, which does not meet the criteria for a TDIU as his disabilities are service-connected and do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, left hand arthritis, right hand arthritis, left knee arthritis, and right knee arthritis were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of active disease or residual impairment from malaria, and the Veteran did not provide sufficient evidence to establish a nexus between his current disabilities and military service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension. The issue of tinnitus is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are etiologically related to his active service, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board found no evidence of current tinnitus and thus denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active duty service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a chronic condition during service. The Veteran's complaints of hearing difficulty began after service and were not linked to any specific incident of service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were incurred in service, with the onset of tinnitus during active duty. The claim for service connection is granted.

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

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not related to service, as there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or continuity of symptoms since service. The claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.,For his respiratory disorder (to include emphysema) and heart disorder, further development is needed as these claims are currently pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active duty service, granting service connection for these conditions.

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

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and low back disability. The decision also found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen her claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection or entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for PTSD, as his conditions were not incurred in service.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound was denied as he does not meet the criteria for SMC under VA regulations.