Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a rating in excess of 20 percent for right knee traumatic arthritis are pending.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, both of which are considered to have had their onset during his active military service. Service connection is also granted for a low back disability, as the evidence supports that it was incurred during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are related to his active military service, and he is granted service connection for these conditions. The Veteran also meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. The right ankle disability and left hip, leg, and foot disabilities claims remain pending.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his period of honorable active service, including no competent evidence of a nexus to such service. As a result, the claim for service connection on a direct basis is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are at least as likely as not related to his active service, including an in-service ear injury during a flight. The issues of service connection for these conditions have been granted.

The appellant's appeal of the denial for service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus has been withdrawn, resulting in a dismissal of these issues.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not related to his military service, and denied both claims. The skin condition claim was remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and finds no evidence to support service connection for this condition. The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in service, nor are they related to his military service.,The Veteran does not have a valid diagnosis of PTSD. His depressive disorder is not shown by any competent medical evidence to be related to his service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, with the latter being secondary to the former.

The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals were rated at 60 percent prior to August 23, 2007. The RO granted a TDIU rating effective from that date.,The Veteran was found eligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits under Chapter 35, Title 38, United States Code, as of August 23, 2007.

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

The Veteran's appeal for attorney fees was denied as the notice of disagreement regarding service connection for cirrhosis, hepatitis A, B, and C, and TDIU were not received prior to June 20, 2007. The appellant is therefore barred from charging the Veteran attorney fees with regard to these issues.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot proceed with the merits of this claim as he is no longer alive.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as the evidence did not show that his service-connected conditions had worsened since the last examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not meet the criteria for service connection as they were not shown to have been present during active duty or within one year post-service, nor could a nexus between service and these conditions be established.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied service connection for left ear hearing loss as there is no current disability meeting VA criteria.