Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, including noise exposure during active duty. As a result, both conditions have been granted service connection.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to April 5, 2013 for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were denied.,Service connection was not granted for a bilateral hip disorder or skin disorder (including jungle rot of the ears).,There is no evidence of current disabilities related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for a new VA addendum opinion addressing whether these conditions were caused or aggravated by medications prescribed for his service-connected osteoarthritis of the knees.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to his in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including issuance of Statements of the Case and scheduling a videoconference hearing. The issues include rating an increased disability for bilateral pes planus, service connection for various disabilities, and review of a reduction in rating for plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted, with a rating of 10% each effective July 13, 2009. The maximum schedular rating under the applicable criteria has been assigned.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not currently suffer from hearing loss in either ear, as defined by VA regulations. Therefore, his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,After a thorough review of the evidence, including the Veteran's STRs and post-service medical records, the examiner diagnosed sensorineural hearing loss in both ears. However, the objective audiometric results do not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of hearing loss under VA regulations.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including securing VA treatment records and scheduling a vocational evaluation.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's claim for increased rating of the low back disability remains denied, as does his claim for TDIU due to hepatitis C.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal due to a scheduling issue for a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations and medical opinions are needed to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The AOJ should also secure any outstanding, relevant VA medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his VA treatment records and for an addendum opinion from the examiner who performed his July 2010 VA examination. The examiner must address the Veteran's reports of in-service noise exposure, as well as his statements regarding post-service hunting activities.

The Veteran's left eye pterygium was diagnosed during service and is considered to be related to his active duty service. However, the right eye pterygium was not diagnosed until years after service.,There is no evidence of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus in service or within one year post-service. The Veteran's current complaints do not meet VA criteria for these conditions.

The Veteran's depression is service connected as secondary to his service-connected back and lower extremity disabilities. His tinnitus, sleep apnea, high cholesterol, asthma, and hypertension are not service connected.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have had its onset in service and has persisted since, granting service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to missing service medical records and a need for further development, including an audiometric examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations regarding his claims of hearing loss, tinnitus, and sinus disability. The VA will conduct these examinations and provide a decision based on the new evidence.

Service connection granted for right ankle disorder secondary to service-connected lumbar strain with spondylosis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus as well as posttraumatic arthritis of left ankle. Effective dates assigned are February 7, 2011, for all conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a left ankle fracture, finding that the Veteran's current left ankle disorder is secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The hearing loss and tinnitus claims are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been denied as there is no credible evidence linking the condition to his military service. The status of the right knee disability secondary issue remains unknown.