Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during service and is granted service connection for this condition. The claim for bilateral hearing loss and low back pain with scoliosis will be remanded to consider de novo.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted, with no specific rating assigned as both conditions were found to be directly related to his military service.

The Veteran's combined rating for service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, is denied as it does not exceed the required 50% evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and reviewing outstanding records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus for VA purposes, and thus service connection is denied. The claims for an increased initial rating for PTSD, entitlement to service connection for a lumbar spine disability, and entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability are remanded.

The Veteran's left ankle disorder is related to his military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The issues of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and sleep apnea. The VA will conduct a new examination and provide medical opinions regarding these conditions.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as whether his current conditions are related to service. The AOJ will also obtain any outstanding VA medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied. The extension of temporary total ratings based on post-surgical convalescence after surgery for the service-connected right toe disability were also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus first manifested during active military service and granted service connection for this condition. However, it was determined that his bilateral hearing loss did not manifest during or as a result of active military service and denied service connection for this condition.

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

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not have a direct relationship to his service, as there was no evidence of noise exposure during service and both conditions were diagnosed many years after separation. As such, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure. The decision also grants the petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to noise exposure during his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection for tension headaches is denied, but his TDIU claim is granted. The effective date of the TDIU rating will be assigned by the Director of Compensation and Pension Services.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the inadequacy of the September 2011 VA examination. A new examination is required to determine if his current conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as evidenced by normal audiometric results at separation from service.

The Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities for the period prior to December 22, 2009.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an increased rating for tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current conditions and active duty service.