Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have begun in service and has persisted, warranting service connection. The claims for hearing loss, thyroid cancer, colon cancer, liver cancer, and stomach cancer are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus result in a combined evaluation of 60 percent. The Board finds that the Veteran is not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and are not otherwise related to service. Therefore, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and depression). The Board has dismissed these matters as there are no remaining issues to consider.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current scoliosis, eye disorder (blepharitis), and tinnitus are not service-connected. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to maintain gainful employment, and therefore his claim for a TDIU is denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of service connection for a TMJ disability, a disability manifested by temperature sensitivity and light headedness, dental trauma (loss of tooth #14), and tinnitus. The remaining issues have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is granted as her service connection for this condition is established.,Her bilateral hearing loss claim to reopen was denied due to the lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to noise exposure during service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The issue of sleep apnea remains pending as further examination is needed.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be at least in equipoise with service connection, granted based on noise exposure during active duty.,A painful and tender residual scar associated with a left herniorrhaphy is rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD was granted, as the evidence showed manifestations of the disability prior to March 25, 2013.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was established based on in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. Service connection is established based on direct evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus and sleep apnea were not incurred or aggravated by service, and denied his claims. The adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood was rated at 30 percent disabling.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting left ear hearing loss did not increase in severity during service, and thus denied service connection for left ear hearing loss. The right ear hearing loss and tinnitus issues are remanded due to conflicting evidence.

The Veteran's tinnitus was not shown to be related to service, and his acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is not considered service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of right ear hearing loss for VA purposes and therefore service connection is not warranted. For left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, while diagnosed, there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation beginning November 1, 2006.

The Board has remanded the case due to a scheduling issue, and the Veteran's hearing is rescheduled.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right hand disorder, and left hand disorder. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for decreased visual acuity in the left eye, as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claim. The claims of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded due to insufficient development.