Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

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

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are found to be related to service, with the Board granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable as he has worked in various sedentary positions and is capable of engaging in less physically demanding work.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The claim for bilateral hearing loss remains pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the case can be adjudicated. This includes obtaining updated VA treatment records and private medical records, as well as arranging for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service.

The Veteran is granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for a new VA audiological examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. This includes obtaining missing service treatment records, arranging for a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and considering all submitted evidence.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, but his claim for right carpal tunnel syndrome remains pending as the evidence is in equipoise.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his in-service noise exposure, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting medical examinations.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected as they do not meet the criteria for disability under VA regulations, and there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's dermatitis or eczema was diagnosed after discharge.,There is no current skin disorder related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a new medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claims are inextricably intertwined as the outcome of one may affect the other.

The case is being remanded for further development, including an advisory opinion from a vocational rehabilitation specialist regarding the impact of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his employability. The AOJ should then review the record and readjudicate the claim.

The Veteran's combined schedular disability rating is at least 80%, meeting the criteria for a TDIU. The Board finds that his service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, as they prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of hearing loss or tinnitus for VA purposes and finds that these conditions are not related to service, including noise exposure. Therefore, service connection is denied.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities have resulted in a rating of 90 percent, which is the highest possible under current regulations. The Board has determined that this rating is correct and no higher rating can be granted based on the evidence provided.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU was granted. The appeals seeking service connection for hypertension, a left knee injury, an anxiety disorder, a fractured jaw, a bilateral shoulder disability, a bilateral hand disability, right great toe DJD, and right foot plantar calcaneal spurs were withdrawn by the Veteran. Appeals seeking increased initial ratings for tinnitus and PTSD and an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss remain pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The effective date of the TDIU award is July 28, 1993.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his claim for a higher rating for his left knee disability, are being remanded due to the need for additional development.