Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected as they arose during active military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of consideration of lay evidence and the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus and PTSD are service-connected, with the PTSD receiving a 100% rating effective October 12, 2011. No other conditions have been granted service connection.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various disabilities. The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and need for additional examinations.,The Veteran seeks service connection for tinnitus and hearing loss, which are conceded by VA. He also seeks service connection for pneumonia residuals, digestive disability (claimed as food poisoning), hypertension, and sleep apnea.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for pneumonia residuals, which may be related to exposure to Agent Orange. He also seeks service connection for a digestive disability (food poisoning) that may be secondary to PTSD and/or exposure to Agent Orange, and for hypertension and sleep apnea that may be secondary to PTSD and/or exposure to Agent Orange.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for residuals of pneumonia, which may be related to exposure to Agent Orange. He also seeks service connection for a digestive disability (food poisoning) that may be secondary to PTSD and/or exposure to Agent Orange, and for hypertension and sleep apnea that may be secondary to PTSD and/or exposure to Agent Orange.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for hypertension, which may be related to exposure to Agent Orange. He also seeks service connection for a digestive disability (food poisoning) that may be secondary to PTSD and/or exposure to Agent Orange, and for sleep apnea that may be secondary to PTSD and/or exposure to Agent Orange.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for sleep apnea, which may be related to exposure to Agent Orange. He also seeks service connection for a digestive disability (food poisoning) that may be secondary to PTSD and/or exposure to Agent Orange, and for hypertension that may be secondary to PTSD and/or exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has determined that it is as likely as not that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, specifically his exposure to loud machinery and mortar/rocket attacks in Vietnam. As such, the claim for service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus originated during his active service and the Board has determined that he is entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are not causally related to his active service, as there is no credible evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service. The earliest clinical records showing these disabilities were over 47 years after separation from service.

The Board has determined that additional medical examinations and opinions are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection. The case is therefore REMANDED.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were incurred during active military service, resulting in the grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's request for service connection for tinnitus was denied in a September 2010 rating decision. The Board has now remanded the case to allow the Veteran to have a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before a decision can be made on the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case is therefore REMANDED to allow for further action.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for TDIU, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting a new examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to substantiate the Veteran's claims for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, including obtaining service personnel records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a medical opinion regarding the etiology of his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of VA examination for hearing loss and tinnitus, and the need to update the claims file with any relevant records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD. The TDIU claim will also be addressed.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been evaluated as non-compensable. The RO denied the Veteran's requests for increased evaluations, finding that the maximum schedular rating has already been assigned.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be etiologically related to his period of active service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The right thumb and hand conditions are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's current tinnitus began in active service and the Board has found that it is related to his service. The left ear hearing loss is also considered as being related to service, but an opinion on aggravation of hearing loss by tinnitus could not be provided without speculation.

The Veteran's tinnitus and left ear hearing loss are found to be related to service exposure, granting service connection for both conditions.