Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2012

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations, and a new examination is required.

The Board granted earlier effective dates of April 18, 2006 for the grant of service connection for chronic cervical spine strain, chronic thoracolumbar spine strain, and bilateral tinnitus, as well as the award of additional compensation for dependents. The Veteran's claims were filed on or around April 18, 2006.

The Board has determined that additional development is required before it can adjudicate the Veteran's claims, as described in the remand instructions. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence. The issues include service connection for tinnitus, an increased rating for right knee disability, and a compensable rating for right ankle disability.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for initial disability ratings in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss and a 10 percent rating for tinnitus. The Board found that the current evidence did not support higher ratings based on VA's rating schedule.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but denied the claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and a bilateral knee disorder, but denied the claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD. The Veteran's claims are remanded to consider his contention that his current condition is more severe than what was contemplated by the March 2007 VA examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to the adjudication of these claims, including scheduling a VA examination for the Veteran and obtaining any pertinent medical records.

The Veteran seeks service connection for interstitial parotitis, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and residuals of cold injury of the upper and lower extremities. The Board finds that additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not caused by his in-service noise exposure, which is considered a direct service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, thus his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service connected disorders is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, with current evidence supporting this determination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule him for a VA audiological examination. The issues of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus are on appeal.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding an earlier effective date for tinnitus and denied the claim for an earlier effective date for bilateral hearing loss disability. The effective date assigned was July 6, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing. Service connection will be considered based on the merits of the claims.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active service. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded due to conflicting opinions.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus during service and denied the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and left ear tinnitus as they are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were incurred in service, meeting the criteria for direct service connection.