Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is assigned the maximum rating authorized under Diagnostic Code 6260, which is a 10% rating. The Board finds no basis for an increased rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's applications to reopen his claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence has been submitted. The claim for service connection is now pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining verification of the Veteran's dates of active duty and reserve service, providing an examination for his skin disability, and determining whether his hearing loss and tinnitus are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board found no evidence of a hearing loss disability in service or within one year post-service, and the VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military noise exposure. The same conclusion was reached for tinnitus.

The Veteran is found to be unemployable due to service-connected disabilities from November 22, 2010 to June 24, 2011.

The Veteran was granted a 10% disability rating for tinnitus effective November 27, 2006. The Board found that the earlier effective date of March 10, 1976 should have been assigned due to CUE in the September 1968 rating decision.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the claim for service connection for tinnitus.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss did not manifest during or within one year after service and was more likely caused by civilian noise exposure. The TDIU claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding employment status.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal for higher initial ratings for tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, erectile dysfunction, and bladder disability is denied. The current evaluations assigned are deemed appropriate.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and alcohol abuse, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a left foot disorder, and a back disorder. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's current hearing loss was not related to service or any incident of service, while finding his tinnitus was incurred during service. The VA examiner also determined that the Veteran's pes cavus existed prior to military service and was not permanently worsened beyond its natural progression.

The Veteran's tinnitus had onset during active service and the Board grants entitlement to service connection for tinnitus. The claim for a prostate disorder is remanded as it requires an updated VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, including noise exposure during active duty. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been found to be clinically associated with his service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, and the Board grants entitlement to service connection for tinnitus on a secondary basis.

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 Veteran's appeal for service connection for right leg numbness and tingling has been withdrawn by the Veteran during a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current tinnitus is not etiologically related to noise exposure in service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hearing loss, tinnitus, thoracolumbar spine condition with bilateral radiculopathy, and left thumb scar with peripheral nerve condition, do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus, finding no nexus to his military service and insufficient evidence of a current disability. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disorder is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.