Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran currently has tinnitus which initially manifested during active military service and continues to this day. Service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss prior to March 26, 2012 and for a rating in excess of 30 percent thereafter was denied. The Board found that the extent of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is reasonably contemplated by the VA rating schedule.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current tinnitus disability and therefore service connection for tinnitus is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, including exposure to noise during service as a radio operator. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his in-service noise exposure and finds it at least as likely as not that he currently suffers from this condition. For the back disorder, the evidence does not establish a current diagnosis or continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment from April 30, 2008 to July 30, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and all issues on appeal have been dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need for a VA examination and further analysis of the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be related to in-service noise exposure, and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus claims have been reopened, with service connection for both conditions established.,Service connection has also been granted for degenerative joint disease of the back due to his service-connected knee condition. The Veteran is not entitled to a sleep disorder.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to February 19, 2008 for the award of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied. The Board found that there was no prior claim to reopen or new evidence submitted before this date.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as his service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus do not meet the threshold schedular requirements for a TDIU, and there is no evidence of unemployability due to these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in an impairment of his ability to retain employment consistent with his abilities, aptitudes, and interests. The evidence shows that a MBA degree is necessary for the Veteran to remain employed at his current position.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's preexisting left ear hearing loss was aggravated by active duty. The right ear hearing loss claim is remanded for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a right knee disability are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected lung disability is rated at 60 percent, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on his other disabilities. The issue of an increased rating remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a lump in the head and diabetes mellitus type II has been dismissed as withdrawn.,Service connection for tinnitus and right ear hearing loss disability have both been granted, with new evidence received since the March 2004 rating decision.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his service-connected conditions are not rated higher than the current assigned ratings.

The Board has determined that the VA medical examination is inadequate and a new examination is required to determine if the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service.