Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for tinnitus was granted effective November 26, 2008. The claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was also granted but with a different effective date of September 9, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria. The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability or tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for VA purposes in his left ear, and thus cannot establish service connection. The right ear hearing loss is found to be conductive rather than sensorineural, which may affect the determination of service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability and tinnitus, but the claims of service connection for lumbar strain and left ear hearing loss disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, both claimed as secondary to service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, bowel disorder, right eye disorder, deviated septum, skin disorder, tinnitus, right ankle disorder, and right knee disorder have been denied. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease resulting in these conditions.

The Veteran is unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected PTSD, which has resulted in a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not originate in service or until more than a year following service, and are not otherwise etiologically related to service. Therefore, the claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's VA treatment records and private treatment records, as well as SSA disability benefits records. The Veteran will also be provided with a new VA examination to address whether any of his claimed conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a lower back disability. The claim for an increased evaluation of PTSD is also remanded due to the Veteran's testimony indicating worsening symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear at a scheduled videoconference hearing. He will be given another opportunity to attend the hearing.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, the criteria for entitlement to service connection have been met.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were initially denied in May 2009 due to lack of evidence. However, new and material evidence was submitted within one year of the denial, leading to a reopening of the claim. The RO confirmed that the effective date would be July 21, 2009.

The Veteran's original compensation claim filed in June 1971 included a claim for service connection for tinnitus that remained pending until granted by the RO in July 2011. The effective date of this grant is now set to June 8, 1971.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that the character of his discharge barred him from receiving VA benefits other than health care under Chapter 17. The appeal was not about service connection at all.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for PTSD and did not address the other issues as they were not part of a single, pending appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus do not result in total occupational and social impairment. The Board denied the initial rating for PTSD and TDIU claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC benefits by reason of being housebound or based on the need for aid and assistance from another person.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and increased rating for thoracolumbar spine disability, finding no evidence linking these conditions to service. The TDIU claim was also denied as there were not sufficient grounds for a grant of this benefit.