Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2015

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service and denied the claim. The right knee disability claim is pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to November 1, 2010, for tinnitus and a compensable rating for hypertension. The claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss was denied as there was no current diagnosis. The claim of left ear hearing loss was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The claims of headaches were also not reopened.

The Veteran is granted special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to blindness.,New evidence has been received to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which remains pending.

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

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection as it is related to his exposure to noise during combat. The claim for colon cancer due to Agent Orange exposure is also granted.

The Veteran's headaches associated with tinnitus are rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of the initial grant of service connection in February 2007.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability, which was a result of his military service, contributed to his death from pulmonary thromboembolism. The cause of death is therefore service connected.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board grants his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and psychotic disorder, cervical spine disability, low back disability, tinnitus, shell fragment wound scars, hemorrhoids, and left ear hearing loss, result in painful, limited motion that impairs his ability to perform employment of both a physical and sedentary nature. The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these disabilities prevent him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is presumed service-connected due to herbicide exposure. The claims for peripheral neuropathy, skin cancer, hearing loss, and tinnitus are being remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine their relationship to service or a service-connected disability.,Service connection has been granted for the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional service in-patient clinical records and a VA medical opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cold injury residuals of the bilateral legs and feet, finding that there was no evidence to support these conditions. The decision also noted that the Veteran did not sustain any cold injuries in service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal on the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and gastric schwannoma.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and Raynaud's syndrome of the toes. Specifically, a VA examination is required to address whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not render him unemployable prior to April 22, 2009 without considering his age and a non-service-connected condition (HSP).

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives and a need for additional evidence regarding noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to address the etiology of his bilateral hearing loss and issuance of a Statement of the Case addressing all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's tinnitus is likely related to his time in combat during service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's lay statements regarding its onset during active duty are credible and supported by medical evidence. The remaining claims of service connection for knee disabilities and hearing loss will be remanded to allow for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are related to his in-service noise exposure, resulting in a grant of service connection for both conditions.