Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain VA treatment records, arrange for a new VA examination regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and provide an appropriate VA examination regarding his claimed left hand injury and shoulder disorders. The case will be returned to the Board after these actions are completed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, including exposure to loud noises from aircraft engines and explosives. As a result, the appeal for service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of his claims, including service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and residuals of a back injury.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations and service connection was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for onychomycosis and tinea pedis, as it only involved 2% of total body surface.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the threshold level of severity for consideration of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability, and his claim is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities clearly and unmistakably preexisted service and were not aggravated by service. The claims for back disability and tinnitus are denied as there is no evidence of onset during or related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for peripheral neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease of the right and left lower extremities are granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The claim for tinnitus is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are as likely as not related to his active military service, including exposure to loud noise during combat missions. As such, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran was granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as these conditions are related to his in-service acoustic trauma. The Veteran's right and left wrist degenerative arthritis were also found to be related to his in-service injuries.,Service connection was established based on direct evidence of a link between the current disabilities and the Veteran's military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus do not meet the threshold level of severity for a TDIU as his combined rating is less than 70%.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus Type II was granted. The claim for tinnitus, linked to his service-connected hearing loss, was also granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and entitlement to Dependents' Educational Assistance under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35, including providing proper notice and obtaining a VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and residuals of head trauma were denied as there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to service.,No probative medical evidence supports a link between the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus with his periods of active military service.

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

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for tinnitus on a direct-incurrence basis, entitlement to a compensable initial rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to February 23, 2009, and entitlement to service connection for a right knee condition and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The appellant's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and recurrent vertigo) have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the RO has not provided a higher evaluation for tinnitus and has denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, left hip disability, left foot disability, and PTSD.

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

The Board has ordered additional VA treatment records and a pulmonary function study for the Veteran's claims. The case is being remanded to allow for these actions.