Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction and peripheral neuropathy, as well as his tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, may not be effective earlier than October 14, 2009. The initial ratings for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's assertions of in-service noise exposure and current tinnitus are credible. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence showing the Veteran currently suffers from this condition.

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

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the issue of right eye disorder remains pending as it is unclear whether service connection should be granted based on direct evidence or secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, and tinnitus. The Veteran's current right and left knee disabilities are found to be related to his active duty service.,Tinnitus is also found to have originated during active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are likely due to noise exposure during his military service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for tinnitus, but denied an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The issues of entitlement to a higher evaluation for bilateral hearing loss are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a clarification of her tinnitus onset and an opinion from the VA examiner regarding its relationship to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment, without considering his age and nonservice-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after service, and the current symptoms are not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, with onset during active duty.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed bilateral tinnitus, including consideration of his lay statements and clarification of his symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is not related to his active duty service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's shortness of breath is not service-connected due to being attributable to cigarette smoking. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, fungal foot infection, and skin spots are remanded for further development.

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

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or special home adaptations.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied service connection for a left ankle disorder due to lack of evidence showing it was incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment at the time of his death, thus denying entitlement to TDIU for accrued benefits purposes.