Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2014

The Board found that the Veteran's back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, but his tinnitus was incurred in active service.

Service connection is denied for tinnitus, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity and bilateral lower extremities. The Veteran's right knee meniscal tear is currently rated 10 percent due to pain, flexion limited to no less than 105 degrees and extension to zero degrees.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that they were not incurred during periods of active duty or active duty for training. The Veteran was on inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA) in the Army National Guard when he experienced these conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a travel board hearing before the RO, either in person or via video conference. The initial compensable rating and TDIU claims are also pending.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military noise exposure during active duty.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but these claims are being remanded to obtain additional evidence and provide a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The elements for entitlement to service connection have also been met, with the onset of the disabilities attributed to noise exposure during active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to ensure all relevant medical records are obtained and a comprehensive VA examination is conducted.

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

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his active duty service, warranting the grant of service connection for both conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from Poggioreale prison and Social Security Administration, and arranging for an examination to determine if PTSD is related to a verified stressor event in service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude employment consistent with his education and occupational experience, thus the claim for a TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his low back and right knee conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has determined that he is entitled to a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development and needs further examination regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to address the etiology of the Veteran's tinnitus and peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and a back disorder are being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to her in-service noise exposure, and she is granted service connection for this condition.,The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the bilateral ulnar nerve disability is related to the Veteran's active duty service. The Board finds service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing at the RO. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus remains on hold until further notice.