Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal was denied as the maximum schedular rating for tinnitus has been assigned, and his PTSD did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, as evidenced by normal test results after service and conflicting audiometric findings. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to service and he is granted service connection for this condition. The Board also finds that the Veteran's anxiety/depression disability warrants a higher initial rating, but remands the issue of entitlement to TDIU due to inextricably intertwined issues.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active duty service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that an effective date earlier than March 8, 2005 for the grant of service connection for coronary artery disease is not warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him incapable of gainful employment consistent with his educational background and occupational experience, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal of the issue of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD has been dismissed as he wishes to withdraw his appeal.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsils have been granted. The cancers are presumed to be related to exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus before a decision was made by the Board.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation during the period from October 1, 2006 to October 6, 2009.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, resulting in a grant of service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are found to be related to service, with the Board granting service connection for both conditions. The Veteran is also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for tinnitus is denied as the current 10 percent rating is the maximum schedular rating, regardless of whether the sound is perceived in one ear or both ears. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, blood clots of the right leg, migraines, hemoptysis (claimed as blood in the sputum), and chondroma of the left ring finger, based on inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA outpatient treatment records and scheduling a VA audiological examination to determine the etiology of his hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board finds that the Veteran's tinnitus originated in service and is related to his military noise exposure, thus granting service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, hypertension, and a bilateral foot disability with heel spurs. The skin disability resulting in sun spots is not considered service-connected.