Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Board has determined that effective dates of October 17, 2011 for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and February 28, 2012 for cold weather injury of right foot and peripheral neuropathy of left lower extremity are warranted based on the Veteran's intent to apply for benefits.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the schedular criteria were adequate to rate his disability, and there were no related factors such as marked interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization.

The Veteran has withdrawn all pending claims and appeals. The Board does not have jurisdiction to review these matters as the appeal is dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's service connection claims for pseudofolliculitis barbae, left wrist ganglion cyst, multiple muscle and joint pain, right leg bone condition, tinnitus, and back disability as new and material evidence was not received to reopen these claims. The Veteran's current back disability is not related to his active service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for updated medical records and a VA examination to assess his current PTSD symptoms and their impact on his daily life.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no credible evidence of in-service injury or disease. The earliest clinical record of complaints about hearing loss was 12 years after separation from service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating. The Veteran will need to undergo examinations related to his bilateral CTS, psychiatric disorder, bilateral knee disorder, hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran. Therefore, service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease. The current disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his in-service acoustic trauma, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of October 8, 2002 for the award of Total Disability Rating based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected depression and tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied service connection for a neck disability. The Veteran's current neck disability is not presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is service-connected, with noise exposure in service being at least as likely a factor. Tinnitus was not addressed by the examiner and thus remains an issue for further review.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus has been withdrawn. The case is being remanded to consider the issues of bilateral hearing loss and TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as both conditions are found to be etiologically linked to his active military service.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, and the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions likely preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to schedule a videoconference hearing. His claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are still pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to incomplete service records and a need for additional medical examination.