Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, diabetes mellitus was not incurred in service and bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being referred to the Under Secretary for Benefits or Director of Compensation and Pension Service for an extra-schedular evaluation due to his service-connected disabilities. The case will be remanded after this review.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are attributable to in-service noise exposure, and the Board finds that these conditions were incurred in active service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to delays caused by obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records, as well as scheduling a new examination for PTSD. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and GERD remain pending.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. However, after a thorough review of all submitted evidence, including VA and private medical records, the Board finds that there is no direct or presumptive evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cold injury residuals of the fingers and toes, and major depression with generalized anxiety disorder are all likely due to service exposure. As a result, these conditions have been granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied, while his claim for an initial disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was granted. The TDIU claim is being remanded due to lack of evidence.

The VA denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus, finding that there was no current disability and no link between her in-service noise exposure and her current condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus had its onset in service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are as likely related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and the Board finds that neither disability is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus began during his active service and is related to noise exposure, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and a bilateral hearing loss disability, both of which are found to have been incurred in service. The Veteran's statements regarding the onset of these conditions were considered.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and incomplete medical records, including audiograms from 1980-1988. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being evaluated again by an examiner with expertise.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, and his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not shown to be related to service, with the preponderance of evidence indicating they are due to post-service noise exposure.,Hypertension was found to have existed prior to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is not related to herbicide exposure or any other incident of service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

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

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's conditions had their onset during service. Service connection was also granted for an acquired psychiatric disability, but with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage rating standards for a TDIU and his unemployability is due to his service-connected conditions, resulting in an award of TDIU.