Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2013

The Board has remanded the case due to the need to obtain employment records from the Veteran's post-service job as a crane operator, inspector, and instructor at an air station. These records may support continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to his active duty service and grants entitlement to service connection for tinnitus.

The Board finds that the Veteran's tinnitus had its inception in service and grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an updated etiology opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as the current examination report used the incorrect legal standard.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are as likely as not due to noise exposure during his period of active service, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, tinnitus, and asthma were all granted service connection. The initial ratings for tinnitus and asthma are set at noncompensable and 30 percent, respectively.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a compensable rating for his inguinal hernia were denied. The Board found that the current 10 percent rating for ilio-inguinal nerve entrapment is appropriate, as well as the noncompensable rating for status post left inguinal hernia repair.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected as they are related to his active duty experience. The back disorder, arthritis of multiple joints, hypertension, and OSA do not have a direct link to his military service.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are causally related to noise exposure during service, warranting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for the period from February 17, 2008 to January 19, 2013 was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable during this time.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA audiological examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus did not begin during service and is therefore not related to his military service. The Board also found that the Veteran's sleep apnea began during his period of active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA audiological examination.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including her back and knee conditions, prevent her from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The criteria for a TDIU evaluation are met on an extra-schedular basis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for higher SMC based on the need for aid and attendance has been denied as he does not meet the criteria for such benefits due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of a positive tuberculosis test is denied as there is no evidence of active tuberculosis during service or within the first three years after service.,Service connection for tinnitus is denied as the Veteran did not provide competent medical evidence linking his current tinnitus to military noise exposure.

The Veteran's tinnitus, palindromic rheumatism of the joints, and major depression with insomnia are all granted service connection due to their presumptive association with his Persian Gulf War service.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is being remanded for further examination and opinion as the current VA examiner's opinion was inadequate.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an eye disorder has been withdrawn. The Board finds no evidence of a current hearing loss disability under VA guidelines, thus denying the claim for bilateral hearing loss. Service connection is granted for tinnitus as it was incurred during active duty and continues to persist.