Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and providing a clarifying opinion from the VA examiner regarding the etiology of his tinnitus.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, and the claim for secondary service connection is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and dismissed the claim of entitlement to an initial rating greater than 10 percent for tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus and found that the Veteran's current bilateral tinnitus is the result of in-service noise exposure. The issue of an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral foot hyperkeratosis remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure. The remaining claims of service connection for Meniere's disease, basal cell carcinoma, and residuals of a tumor of the right thigh have been remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's combined rating of 70 percent for service-connected disabilities from June 1, 2004 to March 10, 2005 and 90 percent thereafter meets the threshold requirements for a TDIU. The appeal is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred during active military service, as there was no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence. The preponderance of the evidence showed that his hearing loss and tinnitus began after he left service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has current hearing loss disability and/or tinnitus causally related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, vertigo, and increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection or entitlement to higher ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, migraines, and bilateral dry eye syndrome are related to his military service. The claim for a low back disability is remanded due to inconsistencies in the medical evidence. The claims for an initial rating of PTSD and for bilateral hearing loss require additional development.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and IVDS with right side radiculopathy have been granted. His claim for an increased rating for low back disability has also been granted, but the effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities combine to a 70 percent evaluation, with an additional grant of special monthly compensation for the loss of use of a creative organ. The case is REMANDED for further examination and readjudication.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have begun in service and he has current bilateral hearing loss, but the evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating. The claim for a dental disorder for compensation purposes is denied as there is no diagnosed condition that would qualify under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether tinnitus was incurred in service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus during service, and there is no evidence of such conditions within one year post-service. The Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and an inadequate medical opinion. The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are being reviewed for possible service connection.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus in service, and the Veteran did not provide sufficient medical evidence to establish a link between his current conditions and service. As such, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability.