Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's tinnitus is the result of active service and service connection for this condition is granted. The claims for a back disorder, a GI disorder, and hearing loss are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision below.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for hepatitis B was denied due to his failure to report for a VA examination. The Board found in favor of the Veteran on his service connection claim for tinnitus, finding that it had its onset during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed residuals of a stab wound to the liver, hearing loss, and tinnitus are not related to service. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during or were otherwise caused by his military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is likely related to his period of active service, and the Board finds that the evidence is in at least equipoise as to whether tinnitus is related to his active service. Service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for further development and consideration of his claims for service connection for PTSD, acquired psychiatric disability, and tinnitus. The AOJ must obtain all pertinent records from VA facilities and attempt to reschedule the Veteran for VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is due to in-service acoustic trauma and continuous symptoms since separation.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to active service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for tinnitus, as it is found to be etiologically related to active service due to exposure to acoustic trauma.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination report and needs further evaluation of tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and lumbar spine disorder have been denied as there is no evidence of current disability or a link to service.,Service connection was not granted because the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a disability recognized by VA.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and tinnitus, as well as his requests for increased ratings for PTSD and headaches. The Veteran was also denied an earlier effective date for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have any physical residuals of a perforated right ear drum, and his current hearing loss, tinnitus, and Meniere's disease are related to the condition. The claims for service connection for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being referred to the Director of Compensation and Pension Services for extraschedular consideration due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining any form of gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's current tinnitus is not related to her military service and denied her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened, but the evidence does not support a grant of service connection.,The Veteran does not have bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus that can be attributed to his period of active military service.,There is no evidence showing chronic ingrown toenails were incurred during service.,Service connection for allergic rhinitis/sinusitis and cellulitis are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.,The Veteran's asthma has been evaluated at 60 percent since January 2003, but a reduction to 30 percent was implemented due to material improvement not being demonstrated by a preponderance of evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and further examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is found to be related to his military service, as evidenced by his exposure to loud noises during his time in service. Service connection is granted.

The Veteran's depressive disorder, secondary to hearing loss and tinnitus, is currently evaluated at 10%.