Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his military service, with the Board granting service connection for these conditions.,For the right knee disability and burn scar of the right hand, further development is needed as their etiology may not have been properly documented in the service treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his service, but denied service connection for osteoporosis of the right hand as it was not caused by or a result of his in-service injury.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete service records and the need for additional VA examinations. The issues of entitlement to an initial compensable disability rating for ovarian cyst status post removal, entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, entitlement to service connection for a sleep disorder, and entitlement to service connection for tinnitus are pending.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. However, service connection cannot be established as both conditions are not shown to have been incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has ordered additional VA treatment records to be obtained and a new examination for tinnitus and left foot injury. The Veteran's claim of service connection for nervous condition will also be reconsidered as it is unclear if the prior final denial was based on all available evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's TDIU claim is being considered on its merits.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to exposure to combat noise during service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, as there is no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus within one year of separation from service. The VA examiners concluded that these conditions were less likely than not caused by noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during active service and is etiologically related to service, thus the claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss had onset in service and is related to his active military service. However, the Veteran's tinnitus did not have onset in service and was not caused or permanently aggravated by his active military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a right knee disability, hearing loss, and tinnitus due to inadequate consideration of the Veteran's statements and treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, while his other conditions have not been established as being due to or a result of service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service exposure, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the claimant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have right ear hearing loss for VA purposes and denied his claims of service connection for tinnitus, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and a respiratory disorder. The Board found no evidence to support these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus. The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depressive disorder not otherwise specified, was also denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be etiologically related to his period of active service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's employment is not considered marginal or in a protected environment, and his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of proper notification for an examination, and the case is now returned to the AOJ for further development.