Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for tinnitus and residuals of asbestos exposure. The remaining issues regarding increased ratings for ankle disabilities, acne, and a great toe fracture are remanded due to outstanding medical records and need for further development.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed tinnitus, as well as whether it is related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Physicians Regional Medical Center from March 17, 2009 to March 18, 2009 are now covered by VA as the treatment was deemed necessary due to a non-service-connected condition and emergency.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded as the current evidence does not meet the threshold rating requirements necessary to establish eligibility for a schedular rating of TDIU. The Veteran may still be eligible for TDIU on an extra-schedular basis if it is established that he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee disorders have been granted service connection and assigned a 30% rating since December 14, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are not related to military service. The pre-existing hearing loss did not increase in severity during service, and there is no credible evidence of noise exposure or other factors that could have caused these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, low back condition, and defective vision. The Veteran is not shown to have a current disability related to his active service or any other presumptive exposure basis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA audiology examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of his current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active duty service and granted service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to determine their etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine osteoarthritis, right ear tinnitus, and right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's current conditions are deemed to be related to his active duty service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not etiologically related to his active service, including noise exposure. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred from October 3, 2011 to October 7, 2011 is denied as the conditions treated were not service-connected and there was no prior authorization.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and bilateral foot disability other than hallux valgus, but granted TDIU. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the threshold percentage requirements for TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are due to noise exposure during service, and thus grants service connection for both conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus is etiologically related to his military service. The increased rating claim for PTSD was withdrawn by the Veteran prior to a decision.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence has been submitted. The Board also granted these claims as both conditions are found to be related to military service.

The Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus and service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability have been denied as there is no legal basis for the assigned ratings, and the evidence does not support earlier effective dates. The Veteran's exposure to noise during military service has not been shown to result in current hearing loss.