Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2015

The Veteran seeks reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses incurred at The Villages Regional Hospital from May 3, 2013 to May 6, 2013. The Board is unable to determine if appropriate VA facilities were available and whether there was a medical emergency that would have required immediate attention. Therefore, the case is being remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ankle disability was not incurred in active duty service and is therefore denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is now rated at a 10 percent evaluation, as the Board found that the presumption of soundness was rebutted and the condition did not worsen during service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service, and thus granted service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus began during service and is related to his military noise exposure, granting his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected and undiagnosed illness-related claims, including for various musculoskeletal issues, tinnitus, sleep disorders, gastrointestinal problems, and psychiatric conditions. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and authorize VA access to private treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of sufficient severity to preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his active service, specifically the noise exposure during basic training. As a result, service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee, right knee, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus disabilities are all service-connected.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and providing addendum opinions regarding his claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are at least as likely as not aggravated by his active service, and is therefore granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during active service. The issue of bilateral hearing loss remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims due to the Veteran's failure to appear for a scheduled hearing. The claims will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, while his right ear hearing loss is not. The decision grants service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, but denies service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that it is as likely as not that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, including exposure to noise during active duty in Vietnam. As such, the claim for service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's assertions, along with positive opinions from VA examiners, support a finding that his hearing loss and tinnitus are related to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with the most significant exposure occurring during his time in Vietnam. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis with right total hip replacement and tinnitus has been granted.

The appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing. The Veteran's claims for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are still pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and arranging for new VA examinations to address the claims of hearing loss, tinnitus, and migraine headaches.