Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and an effective date were denied. The Board found that new evidence was not received to reopen his right wrist disorder claim, and the service-connected conditions of the knee did not meet the criteria for higher ratings or separate effective dates.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD), diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus. The Board found that there was no evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after service, and that the current conditions are not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and is therefore not presumed to be related to service. The VA examiner found no relationship between the current tinnitus and in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that effective dates prior to October 14, 2003 for the left knee disability, June 11, 2002 for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are warranted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating higher than 10 percent for tinnitus, as well as his request to extend a 10 percent rating under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.324.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to active duty noise exposure.

The Veteran is granted service connection for tinnitus and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and secondary burns with scarring due to medication error on the left forearm. The Board finds that while the Veteran reported decreased hearing acuity in his left ear during service, there is no post-service evidence of a current disability as defined by VA regulation.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a Travel Board hearing and is awaiting such a hearing.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his active service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, thus meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and is considering the issues of service connection for pleurisy and a compensable evaluation for allergic rhinitis. The Veteran's claims are being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and found that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to his active duty service. The issues of an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for asthma prior to August 27, 2012, and a disability rating in excess of 30 percent since August 27, 2012, are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and a need for further medical opinion regarding the relationship between tinnitus and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not begin during service, are not related to in-service noise exposure, or are otherwise related to service. As a result, the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, thus the Board does not have appellate jurisdiction to review these claims.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate was denied as he does not meet the criteria due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an audiological examination and updated treatment records, as well as to provide etiology opinions regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but further development is needed before a final decision can be made.

The Board has found that additional development is necessary and has ordered a Travel Board hearing to be scheduled for the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for hearing loss or an increased rating for tinnitus, and denied all other claims.