Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Board is remanding the claims of entitlement to service connection for left and right hip disorders and a low back disorder due to further development.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU and his service-connected disabilities, particularly PTSD, preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The effective date of the grant of service connection for CAD is being remanded.

The Board finds CUE in the January 2006 rating decision denying service connection for tinnitus. The effective date is set at June 1, 2005. Service connection for tender and painful scars on the right upper extremity is granted. An increased evaluation to 30 percent for migraine headaches is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol dependence is rated at 70 percent disabling as of April 6, 2009. The effective dates for service connection and TDIU are also set to this date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed tinnitus was incurred during his military service, and thus grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Board finds that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to in-service acoustic trauma, and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, as well as an addendum opinion from the December 2011 VA examiner.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected left ankle muscle sprains was denied as the evidence did not show ankylosis of the ankle in plantar flexion at more than 40 degrees or in dorsiflexion at more than 10 degrees. The TDIU claim was also denied due to the Veteran's combined disability rating and his ability to maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus, including as secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss, due to additional development and consideration.

The Veteran was found to be unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, resulting in a TDIU being granted.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to service, while his otitis media is not considered incurred or aggravated by service.,Right ear hearing loss claim is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus conditions. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, but his low back and hip disabilities are not. The eye disability claim remains unresolved.,Service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions has been denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied in the July 1986 Board decision, and no new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen this claim.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claim is granted as it is at least in equipoise regarding a relationship between the Veteran's current tinnitus and an in-service incurrence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain medical records and verify service dates. The Veteran's claims of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being reviewed, but a decision on whether they were incurred in or aggravated by service is pending.

The Board finds that the Veteran has current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which are related to service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are etiologically related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for loss of tooth number 10, hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted. The conditions are considered to be due to the natural progression of their respective conditions without any direct link to service or exposure.

The Veteran's chronic low back strain was found to be aggravated by his military service. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were reopened due to the submission of new evidence.