Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2012

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

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus were not related to his military service. The VA examiner stated that there was no evidence of a nexus between the current disabilities and service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss disability is due to in-service noise exposure. The decision also grants secondary service connection for tinnitus as it is proximately due to or the result of his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to an oversight in scheduling a hearing, and the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are now pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss disability in the left ear, tinnitus, and right ear were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability during the pendency of his claim. The Board finds that the Veteran does not have hearing loss disability in the left ear.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus is being remanded due to insufficient evidence and the need for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's current tinnitus is not related to exposure to noise in service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The VA physician provided an opinion suggesting a likelihood that the environment in Vietnam contributed to the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus, which are considered direct service connections.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder AC joint osteoarthritis with impingement syndrome, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran was not granted any new evaluations or service connection.

The Board has determined that the VA examination in 2007 is inadequate for adjudication purposes and remands the case to obtain a new examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and tinnitus, as well as his claim for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral nuclear and cortical early cataractous changes, are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of the amended regulations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as these conditions are presumed to have been incurred during active military service due to noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA audiological examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities.

The Veteran's combined rating for all service-connected disabilities is 80 percent, which meets the minimum percentage requirements for TDIU. The preponderance of evidence supports a finding that his service-connected disabilities render him unemployable.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not require the aid and assistance of another person, as his psychiatric condition is severe but does not preclude him from attending to the needs of nature.,The Veteran's son, A.C.M., no longer qualifies for dependency benefits due to reaching adulthood.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his complete service personnel records and VA/privately obtained medical records. He will be scheduled for examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed lung disorder, low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is as likely due to noise exposure in service or related to his service-connected hearing loss, and thus grants service connection for tinnitus. The issue of residuals of a groin injury remains pending.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected, with the Board finding that both conditions are at least as likely as not related to noise exposure during active service.