Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, peptic ulcer disease, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment since November 18, 1993.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have hearing loss or tinnitus that is attributable to service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a supplemental opinion from an audiologist regarding whether tinnitus is related to service or secondary to hearing loss.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded for additional examinations and development of his service-connected disabilities, including the effects on his employment. The RO must also adjudicate any increased rating claims related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, and his left knee disorder was preexisting but not aggravated by service. The right knee disorder does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's tinnitus is not service-connected as there is no evidence of a current disability, and the medical evidence does not link his tinnitus to his active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations. The claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and skin condition will be adjudicated again based on the new evidence.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for residuals of a right shoulder injury, joint pain, and migraine headaches. The Veteran's claim for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Board has granted service connection for partial left femoral nerve injury and tinnitus, finding that these conditions were not the result of the Veteran's willful misconduct. The other issues related to service connection have been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active duty service, including inservice noise exposure. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to service and/or his service-connected diabetes mellitus, thus service connection for tinnitus is granted. The issue of residuals of thumb fracture remains pending as the VA examiner did not provide an opinion on this claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active duty service, including noise exposure. As a result, the claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's current tinnitus is related to his active duty service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The issue of bilateral hearing loss remains pending as it was remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and his degenerative arthritis of the left distal humerus is not related to service. The Board finds that there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a job description from the Veteran's former employer and scheduling an examination to assess the effect of his service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus on employability. The claim will be readjudicated based on whether the Veteran meets the schedular requirements for a TDIU.

The Board found that there is no current evidence of tinnitus or COPD related to service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA outpatient treatment records and National Guard service records. The Board will also request a new opinion on the etiology of his bilateral knee conditions and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active service. The claim will be returned to the Board after the examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a job description from the Veteran's former employer and scheduling an examination to assess the effect of his service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus on employability. The claim will be readjudicated based on whether the Veteran meets the schedular requirements for a TDIU.

The Veteran is granted service connection for tinnitus, as the Board finds that it was incurred in active service.