Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have been incurred in service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not render him unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment prior to March 5, 2008. Since then, he has had a combined evaluation of at least 60 percent for his service-connected disabilities, but the VA examiner found that these conditions do not preclude sedentary employment.

The Board has remanded the claims due to incomplete records and for additional medical opinions.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not related to his military service, as there was no evidence of a hearing loss disability during or within one year after service. The claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and providing a VA examination to address the etiology of his hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is a link between current symptoms and in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran is unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due solely to the effects of his service-connected disabilities, which have resulted in a combined disability evaluation of 80 percent. The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran has tinnitus that likely was incurred during active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are not related to service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a current disability. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and right knee disability are service-connected as they were caused by in-service noise exposure and a pre-existing injury, respectively.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled hearing and the need to issue statements of the case for two issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for boils on the head was denied in June 2005, and no new and material evidence has been received to reopen this claim.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied in June 2005. New and material evidence has been received to reopen this claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional efforts to notify the Veteran of his requested Travel Board hearing at his previous home addresses.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied in February 1973. The RO found that his hearing by VA standards was normal. A new and material evidence claim for tinnitus has been received, but the issue of an earlier effective date is pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability. The claims for increased PTSD and asbestosis ratings are also being considered.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected inactive pulmonary tuberculosis is found to be the primary cause of his current chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiovascular conditions (including coronary artery disease and hypertension), sleep apnea, right lower extremity femur fracture, left lower extremity femur fracture, anxiety disorder NOS, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and back condition involving degenerative joint disease.,The Veteran's service-connected inactive pulmonary tuberculosis is found to be the primary cause of his current cardiovascular conditions (including coronary artery disease and hypertension), sleep apnea, right lower extremity femur fracture, left lower extremity femur fracture, anxiety disorder NOS, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and back condition involving degenerative joint disease.,The Veteran's service-connected inactive pulmonary tuberculosis is found to be the primary cause of his current sleep apnea, right lower extremity femur fracture, left lower extremity femur fracture, anxiety disorder NOS, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and back condition involving degenerative joint disease.,The Veteran's service-connected inactive pulmonary tuberculosis is found to be the primary cause of his current right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy.,The Veteran's service-connected inactive pulmonary tuberculosis is found to be the primary cause of his current anxiety disorder NOS, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and back condition involving degenerative joint disease.

The Board has remanded the case due to the failure to issue a Statement of the Case addressing the claim for service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran must file a Substantive Appeal if he wishes to perfect his appeal.

The Veteran's tinnitus was first observed and diagnosed during his active service, specifically due to exposure to loud combat noises. The Board found the Veteran's credible testimony regarding his symptoms and granted service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, lung disability, tinnitus, and hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.