Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2013

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a skin condition including as secondary to exposure to Agent Orange prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's combined evaluation for compensation is 60 percent, which does not meet the threshold for a schedular TDIU rating. The Board finds that his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical opinions and new evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cold injury residuals of the left and right feet, kidney disorder, and urinary condition. The decisions are based on a finding that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability is rated at Level IV in the left ear and Level II in the right ear, resulting in a noncompensable rating. The Veteran's bilateral tinnitus is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 6260.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection, and his PTSD with depression and anxiety disability rating is maintained at 30%. The TDIU claim remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the evidence supports his claim for a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's calcaneal spur of the left foot, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are all service-connected as they clearly existed prior to his second period of active duty and were aggravated by such service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss were all granted. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was reopened based on new evidence received since the prior final denial.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are due to his exposure to combat-related acoustic trauma during active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service noise exposure and establishing a causal nexus without requiring medical evidence of such.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus and right ear hearing loss are not related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his period of service, as evidenced by negative service treatment records and lack of in-service complaints or diagnoses. The VA examiners found no link between the current conditions and military noise exposure.

The Board found that the appellant's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are due to noise exposure during his National Guard service, specifically while working as a cook in close proximity to artillery firing. The claim is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to his in-service exposure to loud noise, including from artillery fire during service. Given this evidence and resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, the claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's exposure to noise during service is sufficient evidence to establish in-service incurrence. The other claims are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran is also advised that multiple distinct degrees of disability may result in different levels of compensation.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his in-service noise exposure.,A separate examination is needed to determine if there are any residual issues from a perforated ear drum during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted, and he received a TDIU effective October 30, 2007. The effective date of the TDIU is based on his original claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss, as well as to obtain updated VA treatment records. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.