Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2015

The Board has found the Veteran's statements concerning the onset of hearing loss and tinnitus in service and the continuation of both disorders following his discharge from service to be credible. Service connection is granted for the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have originated in service due to inservice acoustic trauma, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be causally related to his military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The issue of bilateral hearing loss remains pending as it was addressed in a separate decision.

The Board has scheduled the Veteran for a videoconference hearing but the RO used an incorrect mailing address and the Veteran did not receive notice of the hearing. The case is being remanded to schedule the Veteran for the correct hearing.

The Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during active military service and the Board finds that it is at least as likely as not related to his military service. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss may also be related to his military service, but further clarification from a VA examiner is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are related to service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder is rated at 30 percent, the highest schedular rating available. His lumbar spondyloarthropathy status post L5 disc surgery is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The Veteran's tinnitus is already assigned a maximum schedular rating of 10 percent. For his right ankle arthroplasty and left knee osteoarthritis, the current ratings are 20 percent for the right ankle and 10 percent each for the left knee. His right knee osteoarthritis is rated at 10 percent. The Veteran's TDIU claim has been granted.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is now rated at 20 percent, effective from August 2013. His left shoulder DJD has been granted service connection.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for tinnitus and granted the claim on the merits, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus is as likely as not attributable to his active military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals as to the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, TMJ, and a dental disability for treatment purposes prior to the Board's decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not meet the criteria for service connection as they were not shown to be causally or etiologically related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities have been denied multiple times, and new and material evidence has not been submitted in all cases. The Board finds that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of his current disabilities.,The Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities have been denied multiple times, and new and material evidence has not been submitted in all cases. The Board finds that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of his current disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been assigned the maximum schedular ratings under VA regulations. The Board finds that referral for extraschedular consideration is not warranted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral Achilles tendonitis, left shoulder disorder, bilateral hearing loss disability (left ear), tinnitus, left wrist arthritis, and left rib disorder are all related to service. The decision is granted.

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

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are etiologically related to his active military service. The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded as additional development is needed.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for liver disorder, gallbladder disorder, kidney lesions and stones, body stress rash release and trauma, polymyalgia rheumatic, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted. The remaining issues are pending.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for erectile dysfunction is pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and the need for a supplemental opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been denied. His hearing loss claim was granted, but with a noncompensable evaluation.