Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining his service personnel records and treatment records from 1969 to 2000. A VA examination is also needed to address the relationship between the Veteran's current respiratory disorder and his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there was no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and active service.,For his lumbar spine disability, the claim was granted but not with an increased rating. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to service, and therefore grants service connection for tinnitus. The issues of right ear hearing loss and pancreatitis are remanded as there may be outstanding records.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection for memory loss, TBI, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back disorder, stomach disorder, and type II diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hearing loss, tinnitus, and back disorder did not begin during or as a result of his active duty service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be the result of noise exposure during his active military service, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and development of his TDIU claim due to the need for updated VA examination records, including those from private providers. The AOJ will then re-adjudicate the claim.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is necessary to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as the November 2010 VA medical opinion was inadequate due to insufficient rationale provided.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus as secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The initial non-compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss remains in effect.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied by the RO prior to January 7, 2011. The Board has now remanded the case due to a lack of evidence assessing his employability prior to that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence of current tinnitus. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating for PTSD, with symptoms consistent with moderate impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss and tinnitus did not have onset during active service or within one year of discharge, and were more likely due to occupational noise exposure after military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease, and thus could not establish service connection.

The Veteran's left shoulder fracture resulted in residual irregularity of the clavicle, which is service connected. Bilateral hearing loss and a right ear disability (presumably tinnitus) are not service-connected.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's tinnitus had its inception during service, and grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete service personnel records and the need for a VA audiological examination to determine if his current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is not service-connected, and his right wrist disability was granted a non-compensable rating prior to September 7, 2012. His left wrist disability also received a non-compensable rating. The Veteran's right wrist disability has been increased to 10 percent after September 8, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) are all service-connected. The decision is based on credible evidence of current disabilities and a link to service.

The Veteran's left knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are all determined to be related to his military service.