Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2015

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his claims for other conditions. The effective dates assigned were December 20, 2010.

The Veteran's tinnitus is assigned the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent. The claim for a higher initial rating for bilateral hearing loss is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, back disability, sleep disorder (chronic fatigue), and elbow disability have been reopened. Service connection has been granted for tinnitus. The remaining issues are still under review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for tinnitus is denied, as there is no evidence showing a prior claim was filed. The issue of service connection for bilateral knee disability remains pending.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his period of active duty.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 40 percent, which does not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU. However, his service-connected disabilities do not result in unemployability without regard to advancing age.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current tinnitus is related to acoustic trauma in military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for further development, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a clarifying opinion regarding the Veteran's claims of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's combined schedular evaluation of all service-connected disabilities has been 70 percent or more throughout the appeal period, and it is reasonably shown that by virtue of his service-connected disabilities, he is precluded from participating in any substantially gainful employment consistent with his education/training and experience.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and a new medical opinion regarding his claimed hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus originated during active service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board found that there is no credible evidence showing a link between the Veteran's current tinnitus and in-service noise exposure, thus denying service connection for tinnitus. The claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to ensure a complete record upon which to decide the claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and clarifying opinions from previous examiners.

The Board has ordered additional development as the Veteran may have received recent VA or private audiological examinations that could contain new and material evidence. The appeal will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 80%, which meets the criteria for TDIU based on schedular ratings. However, he remains employed and his service-connected conditions do not render him unemployable.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, night sweats, chest pain, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, and left knee disability have all been denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for temporomandibular joint disorder (jaw pain).,No specific rating or effective date has been assigned in this decision.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown to be related to service, as there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or manifestations of these conditions during service. The Board found that the current diagnoses are not service-connected.

The Board has remanded the appeal due to the Veteran's relocation and scheduling issues, and will schedule a hearing for him at the appropriate RO.