Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address his claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and obstructive sleep apnea. The VA will obtain relevant medical records and provide an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, homonymous hemianopsia, tinnitus, and a psychiatric disorder were denied as there was no evidence of a nexus to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including residuals of CABG, diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, and diabetic nephropathy, are sufficient to preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. As a result, TDIU is granted.

The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, or tinnitus. The claims were denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The right and left knee disabilities are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are found to be related to his active service, with the Board finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions began during or were aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for cataracts, macular degeneration, presbyopia, and dermatochalasis was withdrawn. The claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not show an exceptional pattern of hearing impairment or other factors warranting a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, but his bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a disability rating.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as obtain a copy of the Sacramento Bee article discussed at the August 2013 DRO hearing. Additionally, the VA must attempt to obtain the Veteran's complete Social Security Administration (SSA) record.

The Board found no evidence of a current bilateral hearing loss disability or tinnitus that is related to service. The Veteran's service treatment records did not show any complaints, treatments, or findings of these conditions during his military service. His current diagnoses were first noted many years after separation from service.

The Board has determined that the VA examination conducted in April 2009 is insufficient to determine if there is a causal connection between the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and his period of service, including his claimed in-service noise exposure. The case is therefore being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for dermatitis is granted as it began during a period of active duty training (ACDUTRA) and thus meets the criteria for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, but left ear hearing loss remains pending as the evidence is not sufficient to meet the threshold criteria under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus claims, specifically concerning the relationship between current conditions and service. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical records and undergo a new VA examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his in-service acoustic trauma, resulting in a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate and additional development is needed, including verification of service dates and obtaining STRs. The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and low back disability will be remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the appeal can be adjudicated, including verifying the Veteran's claimed stressor and obtaining medical opinions regarding his hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there is no competent evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran met the schedular criteria for a TDIU on October 30, 2009, and his service-connected disabilities precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The effective date of the TDIU rating is set at October 30, 2009.