Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and clarifying opinions regarding his right hip disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset in service and is related to his military duties, leading to a grant of service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining private medical records and providing VA examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral defective hearing and tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the previously denied claim. The preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that his current hearing disability and tinnitus are etiologically related to any incident, event, or injury of service origin.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for an updated assessment of his eligibility for vocational rehabilitation and employment benefits, given changes in his employment status and combined evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a new opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities were contributory to his death.

The Board finds that the Veteran's discharge from service was due to a service-connected disability (tinnitus), and thus, basic eligibility for VA home loan benefits has been met.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of private medical expenses incurred at Providence Centralia Hospital is being remanded due to the lack of relevant records. The AOJ will obtain any missing treatment records and daily notes from November 19-20, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is able to perform his previous job duties despite his hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's tinnitus is likely attributable to his active military service, and the Board finds it as likely as not that he has hearing loss that began during his period of service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depression and neurological disorders, render him unemployable. The Board finds that a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is warranted for the entire appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including access to an electronic claims file and a VA examination.

The VA determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are not related to his military service, finding no evidence of noise exposure or acoustic trauma during his time in active duty.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be incurred in service, and his left ear hearing loss is related to service. The Board has granted the claim for tinnitus but remanded for further action on the issue of left ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of in-service hearing loss or tinnitus. The VA examiner found that any current hearing loss and tinnitus are more likely due to post-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound is remanded due to lack of recent VA examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely related to his in-service noise exposure. The claim of reopening a gastrointestinal disability is also granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but these issues are now remanded to further develop the evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected Meniere's disease with hearing impairment, vertigo, and tinnitus is rated at 100 percent. The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are each rated at 10 percent.