Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and opinions regarding the etiology of his tinnitus and whether it is secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the failure to appear at a scheduled VA examination. The Board will reschedule the Veteran for an audiological examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hearing loss or tinnitus for VA purposes, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's hypertension was found to be caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The appellant has withdrawn all issues related to the appeal, including those regarding service connection for PTSD and anxiety, evaluations of shoulder conditions, major depressive disorder, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss disability are both service-connected, with the tinnitus being granted based on in-service noise exposure and the hearing loss being granted as likely due to worsening during his second period of active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal seeking higher ratings for his service-connected disabilities, including tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, is dismissed due to withdrawal of claims by the Veteran. The claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have been incurred during service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran experienced combat-related noise exposure in service and has current diagnoses of these conditions. The Board also found that there is sufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the current disabilities and service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for right shoulder tendinitis. The Veteran's tinnitus is already receiving the maximum schedular disability rating available, and thus a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum schedular evaluation of 10 percent.,Service connection for tooth number 8 was denied as it is not related to 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 meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, and the evidence is at least in relative equipoise concerning whether these disabilities preclude him from obtaining or maintaining employment that could be considered substantially gainful versus just marginal in comparison.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active duty service, as there is no evidence of in-service hearing loss or tinnitus. The claims were denied.

The Board denied reopening of the claim for service connection for tinnitus and found that the Veteran's left wrist disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The lumbar strain was rated as 10% prior to May 28, 2008, and as 20% thereafter.

The Veteran's labyrinthitis was found to have its clinical onset during service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for any of the claimed conditions, including tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as panic attacks and PTSD), left knee disorder, right knee disorder, left wrist disorder, right wrist disorder, low back disorder, or neck disorder.

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

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral tinnitus, finding that it is likely attributable to noise exposure during his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and gastrointestinal disorders are not related to his military service or any service-connected disability, leading to a denial of both claims.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for left tibia fracture residuals was granted, with a current evaluation of 20 percent. The issues regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were denied.