Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2015

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

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not related to service, while his low back disability was not shown during service or within one year of separation. Service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine if any of the Veteran's symptoms (tinnitus, ear pain, headaches, dizziness, and vertigo) are related to his service-connected left ear hearing loss. The claims of entitlement to an extraschedular rating for hearing loss and TDIU are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and residual scars due to malignant melanoma need further development before a final decision can be made.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not found to be the cause of his death, leading to a denial of the claim for service connection for the cause of death. The appellant was also denied basic eligibility for death pension benefits due to her income exceeding the maximum allowable limit.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including acquired psychiatric disorder, acid reflux, bilateral knee condition, tinnitus, left ear hearing loss disability, DJD of the lumbar spine, and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities have been granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus has been denied as the maximum schedular rating is already assigned. The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Veteran does not meet the criteria for SMC at the housebound rate during the period from April 1, 2000, to August 19, 2010, as he was not in receipt of a single service-connected disability rated as 100 percent and did not have disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, including his in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's reports of onset during service have been considered, along with his combat-related noise exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral tinnitus did not result from in-service noise exposure and thus denied his claim for service connection. His claims for chloracne were also denied due to lack of evidence of current diagnosis or association with service. Service connection was granted for DJD of both knees, but only at a noncompensable rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain VA records, National Guard service information and SSA disability benefits records. A VA examination will be scheduled for the Veteran to determine if his current respiratory disorder, tinnitus, and clubbing of toes and fingers are related to service exposure to asbestos.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, but has not yet addressed his claim for bilateral hearing loss. The case is being remanded to allow further development and consideration of both issues.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to inadequate VA examination and the need for further development of his service connection claims.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but finds that new evidence does not establish a nexus between these conditions and service. The Veteran's contentions regarding his in-service onset of hearing loss and tinnitus are inconsistent with prior examination findings.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and diabetes mellitus type II, but denied an increased rating for tinnitus. The decision is pending on the issue of whether the Veteran's gallstones are related to Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's service connection claims for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine disorder, and TMJ dysfunction have been granted. Effective February 9, 2011, he is rated at 100% for Parkinson's disease residuals of the right and left upper extremities, and 80% for Parkinson's disease residuals of the left lower extremity.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease, and the medical opinion found that his current conditions were more likely due to civilian work rather than military service.

The Veteran is entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability for the period from December 21, 2006, to August 18, 2009, due to his service-connected PTSD and other disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and records, as well as a review of her claims file. The issues include service connection for right ear hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, increased rating for left ear hearing loss, and TDIU.