Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and providing the Veteran with a VA examination to determine the etiology of his hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and low back disability. The claim will be readjudicated after this development.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to his in-service acoustic trauma, and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and degenerative joint disease (low back pain) are all service-connected. The decision is based on direct evidence of a link between each condition and service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, depression, and asbestosis were denied because there is no current evidence of these conditions. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a diagnosed condition at any time during his appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo, and perforation of the tympanic membrane of the left ear was denied as there is no legal basis for a schedular disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his tinnitus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinnitus, malaria, and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for his service-connected tinnitus due to the maximum schedular rating already assigned. His claim for malaria was also denied as there are no residuals of the disease. For his bilateral hearing loss, the Board has not yet reviewed this issue on appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by his active military service, including in-service noise exposure. The preponderance of evidence did not support a connection to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which are currently service-connected.

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

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his combat service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The Board finds additional development necessary for the remaining issues as the Veteran reported worsening of these conditions since the last VA compensation examinations.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a present disability (tinnitus) which began in service and has persisted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and medical records from his in-service treatment at Great Lakes Naval Hospital. A VA examination will be conducted to determine the nature and etiology of any left thumb disorders, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and scar of the left thumb.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death was not related to his service-connected disabilities, and denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus has been withdrawn. The case is being remanded to obtain updated VA examinations for the service-connected hearing loss and to determine if allergies, asthma, and sleep apnea are related to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum allowed under DC 6260.,Right ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on audiometric testing results and VA examination findings.,Bilateral plantar fasciitis is currently rated at 10 percent. The Veteran's disability is characterized by severe symptoms including pain, swelling, and characteristic callosities.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to in-service combat noise exposure, and service connection for this condition is granted. The remaining claims are remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The conditions are found to be as likely as not related to inservice acoustic trauma.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss or tinnitus related to service, and denied both claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to assess the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities, as well as an evaluation of his ability to work due to service-connected conditions. The TDIU claim is also raised.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, as is his back disorder. The Board finds that the Veteran's back disorder warrants a 20 percent disability rating under Diagnostic Code 5242.