Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus that is related to his military service. The VA examiner found no nexus between the appellant's current hearing loss and tinnitus and his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to consider the combined effects of the appellant's service-connected disabilities on his employability, as well as to obtain additional relevant VA medical records and conduct a VA social and industrial survey.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral tinnitus. The Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service exposure to acoustic trauma have been considered, and it is now established that he was exposed to loud noises during his military duties as a duty foreman. As such, the Board finds that the current disability of bilateral tinnitus is etiologically related to this in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to service, with the benefit of doubt given in his favor.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to active service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have had its onset during active duty, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, prostate hypertrophy, hypertension, and a back disability were denied. The claims for increased ratings for depression and onychomycosis of both hands, as well as TDIU prior to February 6, 2012, are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have tinnitus during service or within one year after discharge, and thus denied his claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate nexus opinions regarding the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, along with other disabilities, rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation as of December 2, 2009.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis from June 5, 2006, but not before. He also meets the criteria for a TDIU from January 1, 2009, following a temporary total rating period.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he has withdrawn all issues from appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, as these conditions are found to be related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus based on the presumption of service connection due to continuous symptoms since service separation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as the current disability ratings of 10% are considered adequate based on the severity of his conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have begun during service and is therefore granted service connection. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen his claim for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance is being remanded due to the need to adjudicate another matter on appeal, specifically his left foot disability under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and his military service.

The Board has ordered a remand due to incomplete Reserve service records and the need for another medical opinion regarding the etiology of tinnitus. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these additional developments.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as potential STRs. The Veteran's claims for service connection are pending.