Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a clarifying medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain an examination and additional treatment records, as well as to attempt scheduling the Veteran for a VA medical examination. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

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

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD renders him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that his TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims due to an incomplete VA audiological examination. The Veteran is required to follow up with his primary care provider for ear cleaning and then request a new VA examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be service-connected. Service connection for hypertension and sleep apnea are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's tinnitus began during military service and has been continuous since, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to in-service acoustic trauma and the Board finds service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and need for additional opinions on the TBI claim. The Veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and headaches are also being considered.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims can be fully adjudicated, including obtaining medical records and providing an opinion on whether the Veteran's hearing loss is related to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that his current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active duty service. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a worsening of preexisting left ear hearing loss during service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current ringing in his ears is due to noise exposure during active duty.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence has been submitted. The Board also granted service connection for these conditions on a de novo basis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus was incurred in service, and therefore grants service connection for tinnitus. The geographic tongue claim is remanded as there are insufficient records to determine its onset or relationship to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus was incurred during his active duty. The Board finds that service connection for tinnitus is warranted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience, granting a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to initial increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, to include on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus has been granted with a 10% evaluation, and he is also entitled to separate evaluations of 10% each for his inguinal hernia and the scar from his inguinal hernia surgery. The Veteran's service connection claim for pseudofolliculitis barbae (scarring) has been granted with a 30% evaluation based on disfigurement of the face and head.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to incomplete records and need for a VA examination.