Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to incomplete medical records and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death before a decision could be made on the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as the rating issues related to depressive disorder and eye disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Board hearing at the local office. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities remain unresolved.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his military service, with the hearing loss being aggravated by noise exposure during service. The tinnitus is considered secondary to the hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus cannot be granted as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service, including in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for tinnitus was denied as there is no legal basis for the assignment of a schedular rating in excess of 10 percent. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, aortic aneurism, PTSD, and other disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure. The claim of service connection for residuals of a head injury and brain aneurysm is also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not originate during active service or within a year of service discharge, and are not otherwise etiologically related to service. Therefore, the claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inconsistencies in the medical evidence and the Veteran's missed VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee disability is not service-connected, as there was no evidence of a pre-existing injury or chronic condition during service. The most recent VA examination did not find clear and unmistakable evidence of a preexisting condition.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn. The Board also found that the Veteran is not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus, right ear hearing loss, and arthritis are all found to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records, verifying service periods, and scheduling appropriate examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active military service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset in active service and is otherwise causally connected to his military service. The issue of bilateral hearing loss remains pending as it was not addressed by the May 2011 rating decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a Travel Board hearing. The claim will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to in-service acoustic trauma. The decision is based on direct service connection.