Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Veteran's service connection claims for left carpal tunnel syndrome and a skin disorder of the left side of the face and scalp are granted as they are presumed due to herbicide exposure.,Service connection is granted for a disability of the right thumb and wrist, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, amblyopia, and deformed toes. The spleen rupture claim secondary to a service-connected skin lesion of the foot is also granted.,The effective date for the increased rating of 10 percent for the service-connected skin lesion of the plantar aspect of the left foot is set at January 12, 2007.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is attributable to noise exposure during his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and reopening of a previously denied claim were all denied as the current evaluations are deemed adequate.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right ear hearing loss and a left hand disability. The evidence did not meet the criteria to establish current disabilities for VA purposes.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred from October 6 to October 9, 2009 at St. Edward Mercy Medical Center were for emergency treatment due to a significant injury and could not be safely transferred to a VA facility until his condition stabilized on October 9, 2009.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus. The examiner should consider the April 1978, February 1980, and October 1983 service audiological tests and discuss whether noise exposure in service caused or contributed to current hearing loss and tinnitus.

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

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to excessive noise exposure during service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of his acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with noise exposure being a significant factor. Service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including retrieval of VA outpatient records and consideration of the March 2013 VA examination report.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus likely began during his period of military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and higher ratings were denied. The earlier effective date claims for peripheral neuropathy (PN) of the right lower extremity, left lower extremity, and SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ were also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened, and both conditions are found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, heart disease, arthritis, and diabetes, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and readjudicating the claims on appeal.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, type II diabetes mellitus, sleep apnea, eye condition, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are being remanded due to incomplete development. The AOJ will obtain additional evidence related to Agent Orange exposure and ensure that a VA examination is conducted for hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims on appeal can be decided, including obtaining clarifying opinions from a VA audiologist or otologist regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus did not occur in service and is not related to his military noise exposure. The claim for diabetes mellitus type II, claimed as a result of herbicide exposure, will be remanded due to incomplete information regarding Vietnam service.