Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to service and granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus is not related to noise exposure during service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service treatment records do not show any perforated ear drum or bilateral foot condition. The Board finds no current evidence of residuals of a perforated ear drum, bilateral foot condition, or pseudofolliculitis barbae.,Tinnitus is not established as related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a new opinion regarding the etiology of his hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee disability and hypertension, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and erectile dysfunction (ED). The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a supplemental opinion regarding the relationship between his right eye cataract and service-connected diabetes mellitus. The RO must also issue a statement of the case addressing the denial of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that an effective date earlier than July 21, 2006 for the award of a TDIU is not warranted based on the evidence provided.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to in-service noise exposure. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss due to normal audiometric findings at separation from service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination, and considering his claim for TDIU. The case will be returned to the Board after these actions are completed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service. Bilateral hearing loss was not shown to be present within one year of separation from service, and there is no evidence linking it to military noise exposure. Tinnitus, however, began during service and continues to this day.

The Veteran's subjective complaints of tinnitus are etiologically related to his active military service, and the Board grants service connection for tinnitus. The issue of headaches is remanded as it may be related to an undiagnosed illness due to Persian Gulf War service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, low back disability (reopening of previously denied claim), and obstructive sleep apnea. The bilateral leg disability claim is remanded to the AOJ.

The Veteran's migraine headaches have been rated as noncompensable since June 4, 2010. Effective November 1, 2011, the Veteran is now rated at 50 percent for his migraine headaches.,From November 1, 2011, the Veteran's service-connected conditions have resulted in a combined disability rating of 70 percent or more, qualifying him for consideration of TDIU.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a right knee condition due to new and material evidence. However, it remains denied as there is no established link between the current disability and service.,Service connection for tinnitus was not granted as there is insufficient evidence linking the condition to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking it to military noise exposure. The claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure. Service connection was not established for a left ankle disorder due to lack of evidence showing its onset during active duty or being otherwise related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's tinnitus symptoms and outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran is asked to clarify when his tinnitus began, provide details about any private treatment or testing related to his hearing loss and/or tinnitus, and obtain all relevant VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the appeal due to incomplete development and requests for additional opinions on service connection claims.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as these conditions are currently under appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that a TDIU is warranted in this case.