Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of the issues listed on the title page.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities, evaluated as 80 percent disabling, prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment. Therefore, the Board grants TDIU.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to acoustic trauma in military service and the Board has granted entitlement to service connection for this condition. The issue of tinnitus remains pending as it was not addressed by the RO.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are attributable to his active military service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for service-connected diabetes mellitus was increased to 20 percent effective July 20, 2011. His tinnitus is rated at the maximum schedular evaluation of 10 percent. The hearing loss remains noncompensable.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be causally related to his military service or his service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were caused by in-service noise exposure, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran is seeking a VA clothing allowance due to the need to wear knee braces. The issue of service connection for his left and right knee disabilities, as well as other conditions like hearing loss, tinnitus, and prostate cancer, are pending before the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed tinnitus is likely related to periods of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) and Inactive Duty for Training (INACDUTRA). Therefore, service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active duty, nor may they be presumed to have been so incurred or aggravated. The evidence did not demonstrate a nexus between current disability and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, specifically exposure to noise during active duty. As a result, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for a dental condition, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo have been denied as there is no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for a dental condition. The Board also found that his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining his complete service treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, including as secondary to his hearing loss. The VA examiner will be asked to provide opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection due to a lack of evidence showing an earlier claim was filed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is etiologically related to his active service, and thus grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's tinnitus began in service and has persisted, granting service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, tremors, and right knee disability. The Veteran's National Guard service is also being verified.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to his service, and therefore grants service connection for tinnitus. The claim for bilateral hearing loss remains pending as it was not addressed in this decision.