Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, chronic headaches, right knee condition, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and lumbar disc disease with left radiculopathy are granted. The Veteran is also awarded a non-compensable rating for his eczema prior to February 25, 2013, and a compensable rating thereafter.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be secondary to his service-connected hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any of the disabilities listed in his claims, and therefore service connection is denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum applicable rating, 10 percent, and there is no evidence of an extraschedular rating being warranted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is as likely as not attributable to his active military service, and the Board grants service connection for tinnitus. The issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for a waiver of recovery of an overpayment of VA disability benefits in the amount of $8,742.07 due to fault on his part and lack of undue hardship.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus has been remanded due to the need for additional medical examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's dysfunctional uterine bleeding, menorrhagia, and dysmenorrhea were related to her active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral tinnitus is caused by service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his period of active military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus is associated with his service-connected hearing loss and has been granted as secondary to this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, as his hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service. The low back disability is also not related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum from a VA audiologist regarding the cause of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not incurred due to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's additional anxiety, depression, headache, and tinnitus disabilities are not service-connected under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to VA fault.

The Veteran's death was not caused or contributed substantially or materially by his service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease related to herbicide exposure. The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for visual problems, tinnitus, neck disability, left shoulder disability, and right knee disability. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and ischemic heart disease are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were granted, with the hearing loss being related to in-service noise exposure. The claim for tinnitus was also granted based on service connection. However, his PTSD and prostate cancer disability ratings remain unchanged.

The Veteran's left eye corneal scar was granted service connection. The issues of hypertension, bilateral leg disability and tinnitus have been withdrawn from appeal. The Veteran's eczema claim has been granted with an initial rating greater than 30% since September 22, 2009. The issue of a bilateral eye disability other than the left corneal scar remains pending.