Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's PTSD and tinnitus are found to be related to service, with the benefit of doubt given in favor of the Veteran. The acquired psychiatric disorder is granted as direct service connection, while tinnitus is also granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims can be adjudicated, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA audiological examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional VA treatment records, particularly those dated prior to October 2003. The Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus and diabetes mellitus type II are pending.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain the Veteran's November 2004 audiological testing and will consider whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen his claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeals for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a psychiatric disability have been dismissed as there are no remaining allegations of error in the determination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are causally related to active service, with the Veteran's tinnitus being shown to have been incurred during active service with continuous symptoms since separation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with current evidence of in-service noise exposure. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board has directed that the Veteran undergo additional VA examinations and review of his claims file to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, including hearing loss, tinnitus, burn scars, psychiatric disorders, and lung disorder. The case is REMANDED for these actions.

The Board found that the Veteran's current tinnitus is not related to his service, as there was no indication of tinnitus in the service treatment records and it began more than 20 years after separation from service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current hearing loss or tinnitus for VA purposes and thus cannot establish service connection. The claims for sleep apnea, depression, and Meniere's syndrome are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of a separate, compensable evaluation for tinnitus is dismissed as his appeal was not timely filed and he did not submit new and material evidence within the one-year appeal period. Additionally, there was no CUE in the March 1974 Board decision regarding the denial of a separate, compensable evaluation for tinnitus aurium.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for Meniere's disease with right ear hearing loss and tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence that she filed a formal or informal claim prior to December 2007, which is when her increased rating claim for hearing loss was received. The earliest possible effective date would be December 13, 2006, but the RO assigned February 26, 2007 as it was within one year of that date and indicated in a private treatment record that she had lost essentially all her hearing from the right ear due to Meniere's disease.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's current diagnoses of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are supported by competent medical evidence, and his testimony regarding in-service noise exposure and continuity of symptoms since service is credible. Therefore, service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims to reopen his service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran's conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.,Service connection is established for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as a result of in-service acoustic trauma.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum rating available under DC 6260. The appeal for a higher initial rating is denied.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are both considered to have onset during service, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and right ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.