Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of residuals of right tibia fracture was granted, and his service connection claim for tinnitus was also granted. The disability ratings were assigned based on the criteria under Diagnostic Code 5262.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease. The Veteran's pre-existing hearing loss was not aggravated by service, and he did not have a current disability for which service connection could be granted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and right/left foot disorders remain pending. The Veteran's in-service noise exposure is conceded.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for tinnitus, bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral foot disorder, headaches, and gynecological disorder. The psychiatric disorder claim is reconsidered.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain VA and private treatment records, service personnel records, and examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the appellant's claims for service connection. This includes obtaining relevant private treatment records, verifying her duty status during alleged in-service events, and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active service, while bilateral hearing loss disability was not shown during or within one year after service and is not linked to service. The claim for tinnitus is granted, but the claim for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, including noise exposure during training exercises. The claims for service connection are therefore granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not warrant a higher initial rating, as the audiometric testing results were within the range of normal to mild impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected squamous cell carcinoma of the right tonsil resulted in xerostomia, dysphagia, hypothyroidism, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. Effective dates for these conditions have been granted based on their secondary nature to his cancer.,Effective dates for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are set at October 14, 2010, while xerostomia and dysphagia were granted effective August 4, 2009.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, including obtaining additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type II as due to herbicide exposure, based on the Veteran's presumed exposure during his active duty in Vietnam. The hearing loss and tinnitus claims have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the appellant.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus. Additional records, including National Guard service personnel records and VA treatment records, are needed.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that further development is needed before the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus can be decided.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including sinusitis with allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis, headaches, bilateral epiphora due to allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis, tinnitus, a tonsil disorder, and hearing loss, render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for further evidentiary development and scheduling of a hearing. The Veteran's claims for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet VA criteria for hearing loss disability in either ear and his tinnitus is not causally related to active service. Therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied.

The case is REMANDED for the following actions: (1) Adjudicate the issues of entitlement to an effective date prior to March 19, 2003, for the grant of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus and entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss; if the benefits sought cannot be granted, issue a statement of the case in accordance with applicable law and regulations. (2) Obtain VA treatment records from September 2014 to the present. (3) Schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to assess the nature and severity of his service connected residuals from a lumbar spine herniated disc with degenerative arthritis. The examiner should determine whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran has a neurologic disability impacting either of his lower extremities that is the result of his service connected back disability. (4) Then readjudicate the appeal.