Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service connection claim for inclusion body myositis was dismissed. His bilateral hearing loss rating was denied, as he is already rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations. The Veteran's TDIU claim was also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for tinnitus, and for increased ratings for left and right knee patellofemoral syndrome due to new evidence of increased severity since the last examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal is not fully resolved and requires additional development, including obtaining verification of in-service stressors and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been assigned a 10 percent rating, the maximum authorized under Diagnostic Code 6260.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated as noncompensable (zero percent).,Service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and hypertension was not established due to lack of evidence showing onset during service or within one year post-service.,There is no indication that the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus, specifically addressing whether these conditions are related to service or noise exposure.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for clarification of etiology opinions regarding hearing loss, tinnitus, and ear disorders. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy claim is also being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran was exposed to noise during active service and that his current conditions are related to this exposure.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is granted as service connected. The claims for bilateral knee disability, hearing loss, and tinnitus are remanded due to incomplete records.

The Board has denied service connection for various hip, knee, ankle, foot, and hand disorders as well as bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions were not present during or related to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, but his claims for left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome and arthritis of the left index finger and right hand are dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, including exposure to noise from generators, trucks, aircraft, and shelling. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's preexisting left ear hearing loss was aggravated by active service. The right ear hearing loss is also considered to have been aggravated by noise exposure in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are causally related to his active duty service, resulting in a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and medical records from a non-VA provider. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board found that the September 2008 rating decision denying service connection for bilateral hearing loss is final, and no new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen this claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his military service, including exposure to noise during service. The claims for service connection have been granted.

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 Veteran's current depression is caused by his active duty service and he meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to her military service.