Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have had onset during active service and granted service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there was no evidence of a nexus to his in-service noise exposure, and the disabilities did not manifest within one year of separation from service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated during his military service, as there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure leading to permanent negative impact on hearing. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus is as likely as not attributable to his active military service, and the Board grants entitlement to service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU benefits is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and VA examinations regarding his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to work.

The Board has granted the appellant's request to reopen his claims for service connection for a back disability and bilateral hearing loss, finding new and material evidence. The claim of service connection for tinnitus was also reopened.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as both conditions are found to be at least as likely as not attributable to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he has been able to secure and maintain employment in various roles over the past year.

The Veteran's joint disorder, including osteoarthritis and shoulder impingement syndrome, is not service-connected as it is related to the natural aging process.,There is no evidence of tinnitus in service or within one year after discharge. The VA examiner opined that the Veteran's tinnitus is less likely than not caused by military noise exposure.,The Veteran does not have a diagnosed sleep disorder, and his reported difficulty sleeping due to anxiety and nightmares is not supported by medical records.,There is no evidence of fatigue in service or within one year after discharge. The Veteran's current condition is attributed to the natural aging process.,The Veteran had missing teeth at the time of discharge from service, but this does not meet the criteria for service connection as it was not due to loss of substance of the body of the maxilla or mandible.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a current disability within one year after separation from service. The VA examiner opined that the Veteran's hearing loss was more likely due to post-service noise exposure at Dow-Corning.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions and records in order to properly adjudicate the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown to have developed during service or as a result of service, thus the claims for these conditions are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of tinnitus and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied. For hearing loss, the claim will be remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and to schedule an examination. The skin cancer claim will also be remanded as it involves a determination regarding whether the condition was incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA audiological examination and any relevant treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, with noise exposure during active duty in Vietnam. The claims for service connection are granted.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus is currently rated at a maximum of 10 percent, which is the highest schedular rating available. The Board finds that an increased evaluation for tinnitus is not warranted as there are no provisions in the applicable rating criteria to assign a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that additional examination and opinions are needed to resolve the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete medical records and lack of clear opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board found no current hearing loss disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.385, thus denying service connection for bilateral hearing loss. For tinnitus, the Veteran's lay statements were sufficient to establish a current disability and his in-service noise exposure was considered, leading to a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU either on a schedular or an extraschedular basis.