Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for another VA examination to determine if his current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, specifically exposure to loud noises as an artilleryman.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from the VA examiner and requesting additional medical records.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting bilateral hearing loss did not increase in severity during service and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. For tinnitus, the Board concluded there was no evidence of a nexus between the condition and service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his bilateral hearing loss and whether it is proximately due to or aggravated by service-connected tinnitus and Eustachian tube dysfunction.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, seizure disorder, and diabetes mellitus were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened. The Board has also remanded the issues regarding PTSD with major depression ratings, as well as the TDIU rating prior to April 9, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for VA audiological and psychiatric examinations.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.,The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee condition and low back condition are remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to unresolved questions regarding his hearing options and whether he desires a hearing. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service connected disabilities are rated at a combined 90 percent and render him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU rating.

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

The case is being remanded for additional examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's employability due to his service-connected disabilities of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, bilateral otitis media, and bilateral perforated membranes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a Travel Board hearing. The claims are not ready for appellate review.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection and an effective date of October 10, 2007. The claim for a higher rating for his low back disability remains in appellate status as the RO awarded him a 20% rating effective October 10, 2007. The TDIU claim is also under consideration.

The Board has found that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss. The issues of right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of private medical expenses incurred in December 2008 and January 2009 is denied as VA did not provide prior authorization for the treatment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and an increased rating for hypertension were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of a chronic condition during service or within the applicable presumptive period, and that the preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding of a nexus between the current disabilities and active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and peripheral neuropathy (bilateral upper extremities), as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus and due to herbicide exposure. The decision found no current disabilities involving these conditions.