Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied as the current 10 percent rating represents the maximum schedular evaluation.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining VA and private treatment records and an addendum opinion to address the etiology of his conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment consistent with his education, training, and work experience.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an eye disorder due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The VA examiners found that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus did not begin during or as a result of his service.

The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD and denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not addressed due to the lack of VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with depression, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background throughout the period of appeal.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a right knee disorder, to include as secondary to the service-connected left knee disability, and his tinnitus have been granted. The Veteran has not received a rating decision or effective date for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are service-connected, with no specific rating assigned or effective date provided.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and therefore denied both claims.

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board has granted a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and low back disability are service-connected, with the latter being granted based on a finding of direct service connection due to in-service injury. The claim for tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, memory loss, and depression, is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, while right ear hearing loss is not shown at any time since the claim was received.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records review. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and low back disorder are pending.

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

The Veteran has withdrawn all issues on appeal, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to review these matters.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during his military service and is related to noise exposure in Korea. As a result, the claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to have onset during his combat service in Vietnam. The Board grants service connection for these conditions, as well as a TDIU based on the combined effect of his service-connected PTSD and ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and he is granted a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability. The temporary total disability rating for convalescence following his back surgery is also granted.