Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, as there is no evidence of in-service hearing loss or tinnitus. The VA examiner found that the current conditions are less likely than not due to military noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, with consideration given to the benefit of the doubt doctrine.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities were denied as there is no evidence of current diagnoses or a nexus to his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of tinnitus, and the Board has dismissed this issue.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of his hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus and hearing loss do not meet the criteria for vocational rehabilitation under Chapter 31 of Title 38 due to lack of an employment handicap.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinnitus and left ear hearing loss disability were denied as there is no legal basis to assign a rating in excess of the current 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's combined disability evaluation is 60 percent, including a 50 percent rating for PTSD and 10 percent ratings for tinnitus, vertigo, and traumatic brain injury. The Veteran has post-service occupational experience as an electronics/fire alarm technician, driver, tour guide, and unpaid volunteer positions. His service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's tinnitus is likely related to noise exposure in service or his service-connected hearing loss, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess his employability considering all of his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the inadequacy of the current VA examination. The examiner did not adequately address the Veteran's in-service noise exposure and post-service symptoms.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been denied multiple times. New evidence submitted since previous decisions is not considered new and material, thus the applications to reopen are denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD. Specifically, a VA examination with a psychologist or psychiatrist is required to determine whether his claimed stressors are sufficient to support a diagnosis of PTSD, and an audiological examination is necessary to assess the nature and etiology of his hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is granted. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and respiratory disability are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has found that the Veteran incurred a skin condition of the face, neck and mouth in service. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, right shoulder disability, and hearing loss, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, tinnitus, heart disease, PTSD, arthritis, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and back disorder. The appeals were based on direct evidence of a link between each condition and service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not have their clinical onset in service or are otherwise related to active duty. As a result, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service treatment records are missing, and additional efforts must be made to locate them. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus will be remanded for further development including obtaining medical opinions on etiology.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for clarification on their etiology, specifically whether they are related to his service-connected diabetes.