Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that new evidence supports reopening of these previously denied claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to service, specifically exposure to hazardous noise during active duty. As such, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and personnel records, as well as an addendum opinion from a VA audiologist regarding the etiology of his hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain clarifying medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as to ensure all relevant development actions have been conducted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no current evidence of these conditions meeting VA criteria. The Veteran also failed to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus due to a lack of adequate reasons or bases regarding his lay statements, as well as the rejection of his claim that he was diagnosed with hearing loss during post-service employment physicals.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin cancer is at least as likely as not caused by his military service, including sun exposure. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and cold injury residuals of the bilateral lower extremities have been denied.

The Veteran's overall combined disability rating is 40 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability is found to be caused by his active service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus was denied as the evidence did not warrant referral for extra-schedular consideration and he is already in receipt of the maximum schedular rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is sufficient evidence to support these claims based on in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an increased initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee osteoarthritis with degenerative joint disease (DJD) is denied. The evidence does not support a higher rating as the Veteran's range of motion was limited by pain, weakened movement, and flares upon repetition.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting audiometric test results and a need for further medical evaluation. The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are pending.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's current diagnosis of tinnitus was established prior to the November 2007 rating decision, and no additional evidence has been provided that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. However, the issues of service connection remain unresolved as new evidence does not establish a clear and unmistakable increase in severity during service or provide sufficient evidence to determine if noise exposure caused or aggravated these conditions.

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

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as he withdrew his claim for an effective date prior to May 28, 2010 for tinnitus. The claims of increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and back disability were denied.

The Board denied service connection for frostbite of the feet, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,There is no direct evidence showing that current foot symptoms are related to cold weather exposure during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, including noise exposure. As a result, the claims for service connection have been denied.