Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as an addendum opinion from a VA audiologist.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to August 24, 2006. The combined service-connected disability rating was only 60 percent prior to that date.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the impact of his service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus on his employability.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and degenerative disc disease (DDD), herniated discs L5-S1, status post L4, L5, L5-S1 anterior discectomy and vertebral body fusion, acquired spinal stenosis, and intervertebral disc disease. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for reopening his claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the appeal process.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's service treatment records and to provide her with a VA examination. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Board finds the evidence is in equipoise regarding the relationship between the Veteran's tinnitus and his military service, and thus grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as anxiety disorder and depression. The Veteran's respiratory disorder is also found to be related to his military service. However, the claim for tinnitus remains pending due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and low back disability. The evidence did not show a current disability in any of these conditions for VA purposes or that they were incurred during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are as likely due to noise exposure during his military service, including while serving in the Navy and National Guard. As such, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely due to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service connected, but the issues of service connection for a skin disorder and hypertension are remanded as additional development is needed.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his service, with the Board granting service connection for these conditions. Other claims of service connection have been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of acquired psychiatric disorder, shoulder disability, neck disability, low back disability, and tinnitus do not meet the criteria for service connection based on direct evidence. The Veteran did not have any relevant symptoms or diagnoses during service, and there is no competent medical opinion linking his current conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as the evidence supports a finding of service connection based on credible assertions of in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's tinnitus disability is currently rated at 10 percent, as it is considered a single evaluation due to recurrent tinnitus.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which she attributes to in-service noise exposure. The claims file does not contain post-service treatment records related to her use of prescribed hearing aids. The case is remanded to ensure compliance with VA's duty to assist the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability is related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, COPD, emphysema, and a back disability are granted. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no current evidence of a disability or link to service.