Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2015

All issues are remanded for additional development including obtaining private treatment records and VA medical opinions. The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, skin cancer, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD will be addressed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right foot disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, left shoulder disability, and lumbar spine disability due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is at least as likely as not caused or permanently aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between hearing loss and tinnitus and service, as well as other issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for his hearing disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not show that he has a current disability or that any such disability is related to military service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are as likely due to noise exposure during his military service, specifically while serving in the Navy Reserve. Therefore, these conditions have been granted service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The denial of the right knee claim is final as it was previously denied in December 1997 without new and material evidence being submitted. The left knee and hearing loss/tinnitus claims are pending.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service and he is granted service connection for this condition.,For the right ankle disability, a rating in excess of 20 percent is not warranted as there is no evidence of ankylosis or limitation of motion that would justify such a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military noise exposure, and thus grants service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss. However, the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss is not found to be related to his military service.

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

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), as well as his claim for a higher initial rating for hypertension. The Board found that he did not have a ratable disability for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, prostate cancer residuals, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, and other conditions do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, specifically noise exposure during active duty. As a result, the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have had its onset during active service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The appeal is REMANDED to obtain additional medical records and for further examination.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown to be present during service or within one year of separation. There is no evidence of chronic symptoms since service separation, nor was there a diagnosis of these conditions until many years after separation. Therefore, the criteria for service connection are not met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss is related to his period of active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The decision also finds in favor of the Veteran regarding his claims for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for tinnitus, which the Board finds is likely related to his military service.