Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for limitation of right knee extension and instability were granted, with a rating of zero percent effective February 1, 2011.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss. However, both claims are denied as there is no competent medical evidence showing a link between current disabilities and military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it is considered an organic disease of the nervous system. The left ankle disability was also granted service connection, with the theory being direct service connection based on evidence showing functional loss due to pain.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and examinations regarding his claims for service connection, as well as a VA examination for the severity of his coronary artery disease. The Veteran will be provided an opportunity to respond to this decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and following substantially gainful employment, as his conditions are not severe enough to render him unemployable.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of a chronic disease during service or continuity of symptomatology since service, and the conditions are not presumed due to military noise exposure.

The Veteran's tinnitus and anxiety disorder were both found to have onset in service, leading to a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are as likely as not caused by noise exposure during his military service. As a result, both conditions have been granted service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were granted effective from February 2, 2010. The Board found that the earlier claim was not timely filed within one year of separation from active duty.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his military service, with the evidence being in equipoise on this issue. Service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to technical difficulties with a prior hearing and is requesting a new hearing at the RO.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claim of service connection for tinnitus is granted, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the claim for residuals of epididymitis during a hearing before the Board. The remaining issues of service connection for bilateral defective hearing and tinnitus are remanded.

The Board found no evidence of a low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ), residuals of a skin condition of the left arm, or chronic fatigue syndrome that were incurred in service. The Veteran's conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal seeks an earlier effective date for dependency benefits, but the Board finds that no such effective date is warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, including obtaining his full service personnel records from his first period of active duty service and any outstanding private treatment records.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to ensure proper development and consideration of the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, with the most likely cause being in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and tinnitus, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.