Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for service connection for neck pain was denied as there is no competent, credible and probative evidence indicating the existence of a chronic neck or cervical spine disability underlying her complaints.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, cold weather injury residuals of the upper and lower extremities, and tinnitus, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen several service connection claims, including for tinnitus, back disability, pes planus, jaw disability (claimed as TMJ/prognathism), PTSD, right leg disability, sinusitis, and mitral valve prolapse. The Veteran's claims are currently under review.

The Veteran meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and cold injury residuals.

The Board has remanded the claims due to issues with obtaining inpatient hospital records and converting the Veteran's separation audiogram. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are likely related to his period of active service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the statutory requirements for a TDIU, as they do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have been incurred in service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition. The other issues were not addressed due to lack of evidence or further development needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected, but granted service connection for tinnitus based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus and PTSD are found to be related to service, but his other psychiatric conditions do not have a direct link. Bilateral hearing loss and stomach disorder claims are pending.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance is being remanded due to the need for further examination to determine his eligibility.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a direct link between his in-service noise exposure and his current condition.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 7, 2010 for additional compensation benefits for a dependent spouse is denied as the Veteran did not provide necessary information regarding his spouse until January 2010.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to his in-service noise exposure. The issue of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of such in-service. The claim for service connection for both conditions is denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no credible evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's in-service noise exposure and his current disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, including exposure to in-service respiratory infections.