Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to insufficient medical evidence addressing the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to maintain employment. Additional VA treatment records are also needed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus in service, and concluded that any current bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are not related to service. For the lung disability claim, the Veteran's current diagnosis was noted but the Board determined there is insufficient evidence linking it to service exposure.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are due to noise exposure during his military service, resulting in a grant of service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions and evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hepatitis C, diabetes mellitus, and liver transplant. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected as they were caused by exposure to acoustic trauma during active service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service noise exposure and his current symptoms are credible. The claim of bilateral hearing loss is referred to the AOJ due to its separate nature.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess his current level of hearing impairment and the etiology of his tinnitus. The examiner will need to consider the reliability of previous audiometric testing and provide an opinion on whether service connection can be established.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to ensure proper development of the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence, including a recent grant of service connection for coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his service-connected disabilities, including headaches, spine conditions, and hand/tendon disorders. The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and an opinion on the impact of these disabilities on employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus was not present during service and is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to service. As such, the claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and reopening of service connection claims were denied. The tinnitus claim was not reopened as there is no new evidence relating to a previously unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim. The hearing loss claim was also not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The skin condition and back disability claims were reopened, but service connection was not granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected due to exposure to acoustic trauma in service. The knee disability claim was denied as there is no clear evidence linking it to service.

The Board found no evidence of current hearing loss, tinnitus, or back disability related to service. The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has decided that additional evidence is needed and the case is being sent back to the RO for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his military service. The hearing loss claim is remanded due to outstanding records and further examination.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his in-service noise exposure. The lumbar spine disability is granted for the period prior to March 30, 2012.