Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2014

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including heart disability (enlargement), lumbar spine disability, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, otitis, kidney enlargement, and dizziness were denied. The appeal is dismissed as the evidence does not meet the criteria for reopening the previously denied claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claims of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as the current medical opinion is deemed inadequate.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion and for obtaining updated VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to scheduling issues and will handle them in an expeditious manner.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between his current conditions and military service.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, which is the maximum rating authorized under Diagnostic Code 6260. The Board finds that there is no legal basis for a schedular evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disorder and tinnitus, which are currently considered service-connected under a direct theory.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether it is related to active service. The Veteran's March 2006 report of tinnitus during the one-year presumptive period for service connection involving the organic nervous system was considered.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and headaches were denied as there is no current disability. The claim for hypertension was denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service or Agent Orange exposure. The diabetes mellitus claim was denied because it did not manifest within a year after service. PTSD was not diagnosed during service and thus cannot be granted based on service connection.,The Veteran's competency to handle disbursement of VA benefits funds was found to be lacking.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, right great toenail removal, or tinnitus for VA purposes. The preponderance of evidence is against service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to service exposure to noise from marine diesel engines, resolving all reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Veteran's tinnitus had onset during service and the Board finds that it was incurred in active military service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease. The VA examination found that the current disabilities are less likely than not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for tinnitus, as it originated during his period of active service and is presumed due to noise exposure. Service connection for left ear hearing loss was not granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since July 14, 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss, adjustment disorder with depressed mood, diabetes mellitus to include pseudophakia, tinnitus, and residual scar of the right ear) are rated at a combined 80 percent. The Board finds that these conditions render him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is as likely as not related to service, and therefore grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, including exposure to noise from aircraft on the flight line. As a result, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board has determined that there is a state of equipoise as to whether the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, and therefore grants both claims for service connection.