Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a request for clarification on the type of hearing he wishes to have.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and right inguinal hernia residuals are related to service, while his bilateral hearing loss is not considered a current disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus claims, specifically addressing noise exposure in service. Further examination is required.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus began during service and continues to this day, granting service connection for this condition. Bilateral hearing loss was not shown in service or within one year of discharge, and is not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The right foot disability was rated at 10 percent, left hip and right hip disabilities were each rated at 10 percent, and tinnitus was not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have originated during service and is granted as incurred. The claim for bilateral hearing loss disability will be remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to acoustic trauma during his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for multiple myeloma, acquired psychiatric condition (including PTSD), residuals of cyst removal, degenerative joint disease (DJD) in both knees, and hearing loss is pending. Service connection has been granted for tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to clarify the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities, including left ankle disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and jaw disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding the etiology of his hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo. The case will be returned for further review.

The Board has determined that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's tinnitus was caused by noise exposure during his military service, and thus grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Board finds that the Veteran currently has bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, but the preponderance of evidence is against service connection for these conditions due to lack of in-service onset or continuity.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to a lack of VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and a compensable rating were denied. The Board found that the Veteran had not appealed the initial grant of service connection, but his claim was reopened due to new evidence submitted in November 2009.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus as secondary to the service-connected tinnitus. The issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, headaches, and vertigo are remanded.

The Veteran was found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities as early as August 21, 2007.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability has been established. The Veteran's tinnitus is also service connected.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine the relationship between the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, including in-service noise exposure. The appeal will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as the additional evidence submitted since the July 2010 rating decision is cumulative and redundant.