Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have its onset in service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition. The issue of bilateral hearing loss is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (degenerative joint disease, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus) have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is due to noise exposure during service and grants service connection for this condition. The low back disorder claim remains pending as it pertains to a secondary service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and may not be presumed to have been so incurred.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling appropriate VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, PTSD, coronary artery disease, connective tissue disorder, tinnitus, and appendectomy, produce sufficient impairment to make him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), finding that the Veteran's conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral hearing loss did not worsen during service and thus denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The issue of tinnitus was also addressed, but as it is a separate claim from hearing loss, no disposition could be made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and right and left plantar pain are not related to his service or any service-connected conditions, leading to a denial of both claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the service treatment records and a need for an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's current diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not found to be related to service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or chronic symptoms during the presumptive period. The Board finds that the Veteran did not have a current disability at the time of his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral pes cavus have been assigned the maximum available ratings. The Board found no legal basis for assigning an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, and denied entitlement to a compensable initial rating for bilateral pes cavus.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability. The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have arisen during active service due to exposure to loud noise, while his hearing loss disability was not shown to be related to service.

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including arthritis of the hips, shoulders and knees, are found to preclude substantially gainful employment. The Board grants a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's current hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical degenerative disc disease with disc herniation, headaches, and bilateral shoulder condition are not considered to be related to his active service.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to address the etiology of any right ear hearing loss disability and tinnitus, as well as whether these conditions are related to service-connected right otitis externa.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD was withdrawn prior to the Board's decision. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities remains.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are service-connected.