Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2015

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 10% rating for tinnitus, finding that there was no indication of intent to file a claim prior to April 29, 2011 and dismissing any freestanding claim for an earlier effective date.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied the remaining claims including residuals of a pilonidal cyst disability, esophageal cancer, COPD, and prostate disability.

The Board has remanded the claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, as well as clarifying the B-reader's interpretation of the appellant's respiratory studies.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, when evaluated in association with his education and occupational experience, have at least as likely as not made him unable to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that TDIU is warranted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete medical opinions and a need for additional examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. His right ankle strains, left ankle strains, and right knee retropatellar pain syndrome are currently rated at 10 percent each. Tinnitus is presumed to be related to service, but bilateral hearing loss has not been diagnosed or shown.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his military service, including exposure to noise during his time in Vietnam. As such, these conditions have been granted service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a left leg/calf disability. However, the claim remains denied as there is no evidence showing that the Veteran's disabilities are related to his active service.

The Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred or aggravated in service, and the Board denied his claim for service connection.,For the residuals of shrapnel wounds to Muscle Groups XXII (left side of the neck) and XI (left calf), the Board found that they do not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not incurred during service, including exposure to acoustic trauma in Vietnam. As a result, both conditions have been granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are as likely as not related to his active military service, including exposure to acoustic trauma during his time as a helicopter gunner. As such, the claims for service connection for these conditions have been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of a nexus between current hearing loss or tinnitus and service. The preponderance of the evidence is against both claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow all forms of substantially gainful employment prior to July 2, 2009. As a result, the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims to reopen his service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder was incurred in service and the Board finds that he is entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss, tinnitus, colon cancer, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy, were denied as there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or radiation. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection under applicable regulations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and providing a VA examination for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to damaged records from the Social Security Administration.

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