Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient rationale in the VA examination opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus due to a lack of clarity in the examination reports and the need for further medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions. The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not meet the schedular criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates are denied as the evidence does not support an earlier effective date prior to April 28, 1988.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to in-service acoustic trauma. The remaining claims of service connection for neck, shoulder, back, hip, and leg disabilities have been remanded for further development.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current tinnitus disability is related to service, and thus granted service connection for this condition. The issue of hearing loss was not addressed in detail as it pertains to a different theory of entitlement (presumptive service connection) which was not applicable.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of tinnitus and denied his claim for service connection. The hearing loss claim is also denied as there was no evidence linking it to service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and carpal tunnel syndrome. The appeals are granted.

The Board has remanded the appeal due to the Veteran's request for a video conference hearing. The issues of service connection remain pending.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to his military service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss remains pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran seeks earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA benefits based on service-connected disabilities. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran was unemployable due to his service-connected conditions prior to November 13, 2006.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tension headaches, hearing loss, and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development including VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and a need for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for Multiple Sclerosis, Depression as secondary to MS, and Tinnitus due to MS. Service connection for Bilateral Hearing Loss is denied.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is found to be service-connected, and his tinnitus is secondary to his service-connected hearing loss. The right ear hearing loss does not meet the VA criteria for a disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to January 31, 2011 for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss. The Board also denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a pulmonary disease (asbestosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, as evidenced by VA examination findings and the lack of in-service evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus.