Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's colon cancer was not incurred in service and is not presumed to be due to herbicide exposure. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for his peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss disability, or tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, as well as his thoracic spine disability. The decision is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a new VA examination. The claims will be considered de novo.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and a psychiatric disorder (schizoaffective disorder) based on the evidence showing these conditions were first manifested during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, when analyzed as a whole, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. Therefore, the Board finds that he is entitled to TDIU.

The Veteran's tinnitus is at least as likely as not caused by active service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence has been received. The claims are further addressed on their merits.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and medical inquiry regarding his claims to service connection for a bilateral foot/ankle disorder, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his military service, specifically exposure to acoustic trauma during active duty.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the VA examination is inadequate and additional evidence, including VA treatment records, must be obtained to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a rating in excess of 20 percent for right knee traumatic arthritis are pending.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, both of which are considered to have had their onset during his active military service. Service connection is also granted for a low back disability, as the evidence supports that it was incurred during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are related to his active military service, and he is granted service connection for these conditions. The Veteran also meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. The right ankle disability and left hip, leg, and foot disabilities claims remain pending.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his period of honorable active service, including no competent evidence of a nexus to such service. As a result, the claim for service connection on a direct basis is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are at least as likely as not related to his active service, including an in-service ear injury during a flight. The issues of service connection for these conditions have been granted.

The appellant's appeal of the denial for service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus has been withdrawn, resulting in a dismissal of these issues.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not related to his military service, and denied both claims. The skin condition claim was remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and finds no evidence to support service connection for this condition. The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.