Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be the result of noise exposure during military service, and therefore service connection is granted.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus to his military service, thus denying both claims.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus, but denied it on the merits.,The Board has also reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but denied it on the merits.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be caused by in-service noise exposure, thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there was no evidence to support a nexus between the conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected right ear hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted a compensable rating, with the effective date being April 9, 2003.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as the evidence is not in equipoise and does not support a finding of service connection for any of the conditions listed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the May 2010 VA examination, which did not address the Veteran's lay assertions regarding the onset and continuity of his symptoms.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development due to incomplete service treatment records and insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was granted an increased evaluation to 80 percent effective April 24, 2013. His status post left knee total replacement with tinnitus received a grant of increased evaluation to 10 percent for tinnitus only.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as they do not result in a combined rating of at least 70% and there is no evidence that his service-connected conditions prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of tinnitus and credible lay evidence indicates it began in military service. For bilateral hearing loss, while audiometric test results meet the regulatory requirements for establishing a disability at separation from service, there is no competent medical evidence linking the current hearing loss to service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment for the period from October 26, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than May 19, 2009 for bilateral hearing loss and prostate cancer have been granted. The claim for an earlier effective date for tinnitus is partially granted.,An effective date of September 26, 2008 has been assigned for the grants of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and prostate cancer.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual employability (TDIU) prior to August 25, 2008 is being remanded for further development and consideration under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. � 4.16(b).

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination regarding whether tinnitus is caused by or a symptom of service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus will be reconsidered with an addendum opinion from an appropriate examiner.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus that is related to his military service. The VA examiner found no nexus between the appellant's current hearing loss and tinnitus and his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to consider the combined effects of the appellant's service-connected disabilities on his employability, as well as to obtain additional relevant VA medical records and conduct a VA social and industrial survey.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral tinnitus. The Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service exposure to acoustic trauma have been considered, and it is now established that he was exposed to loud noises during his military duties as a duty foreman. As such, the Board finds that the current disability of bilateral tinnitus is etiologically related to this in-service noise exposure.