Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as to provide proper VCAA notice regarding the secondary aspect of his claim for service connection for tinnitus. Additionally, all outstanding treatment records from the Nashville VA Medical Center dated from October 2010 to the present should be obtained.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability was granted. The claims for service connection for tinnitus and hearing loss were reopened based on new evidence submitted since the previous decisions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, resulting in a grant of service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, adenocarcinoma (lobectomy), tinnitus, and a surgical scar from his thoracotomy, make it impossible for him to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions alone preclude employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess his PTSD symptoms and employability.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his in-service noise exposure. The issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II, with unstable blood sugar, and hypertension. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a current disability. The TDIU claim was also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and he meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.,While his PTSD does not meet the criteria for extraschedular consideration, he has been granted a TDIU based on his combined rating of 70 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, as there is no evidence of in-service acoustic trauma or a continuity of symptoms after service. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the right wrist disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by military service, and arthritis may not be presumed to have been incurred therein. The right knee and hip disorders did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to service, but further examination is needed for OSA, hypertension, ED, and GERD.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The claims for diabetes mellitus, Type II and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are remanded due to incomplete medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has experienced tinnitus since service and that it is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and right knee disability as there is no credible evidence of such conditions in service or since service. The Veteran's testimony regarding current symptoms was not found to be credible.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for tinnitus, finding that there was no claim filed prior to 2004.

The Board has found service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied service connection for sinusitis. The claim for a bilateral knee condition requires further development.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have become manifest in service and has persisted, warranting service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are etiologically related to noise exposure during his active duty service, granting the Veteran's claims for these conditions.