Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, but there is insufficient evidence to determine if his left ear hearing loss is related to service. The case is remanded for a VA examination to assess whether the Veteran meets the criteria for left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were denied as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's application to reopen his claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus because he failed to submit new and material evidence.

The Veteran's gastroesophageal disorder is not service-connected, and the issues of service connection for hypertension and diabetes mellitus are denied.,Service connection was granted for tinnitus with a 10% rating effective March 6, 2004. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted effective July 7, 2005. The Board found that the criteria for an earlier effective date were not met due to lack of evidence showing unemployability prior to this date.

Service connection for PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus has been granted effective December 5, 2005.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to exposure to acoustic trauma in service, and thus service connection is granted. Similarly, the Board finds that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to exposure to acoustic trauma in service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus is etiologically related to noise exposure during active duty service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular evaluation has already been assigned.

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

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder including depression, anxiety, and PTSD. The Veteran's tinnitus is related to exposure to acoustic trauma in service, while his hearing loss does not meet the VA criteria for a disability. His psychiatric symptoms are attributed to alcohol abuse rather than service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a low back disorder due to new and material evidence. However, the claims for tinnitus, bilateral knee disorder, and PTSD are being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in the form of a VA examination to assess the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus. The appeal will be remanded to allow this development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, and service connection is granted for these conditions.

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

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the issue of service connection for a bilateral foot disorder remains pending as there is insufficient evidence to determine if it is related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his period of service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the claimant. Service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Veteran's combined rating for service-connected disabilities was 70 percent from September 19, 2003 to July 24, 2007. The claimant contends that he should have received a higher combined rating prior to this date.,The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for his headaches and peripheral neuropathy of the right foot.