Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities is being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence, including Social Security Administration records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder, has been reopened. The Board also remanded the issues of bilateral hearing loss and chronic tinnitus for additional development.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his active military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran is granted service connection for tinnitus, with the Board finding that it was incurred in active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions, including hearing loss, tinnitus, and sleep apnea.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were incurred in service, with no aggravation during service. Therefore, both conditions are granted as service-connected.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus were not related to his active duty service, as there was no evidence of a chronic disease in service or for many years after service. The Board denied both claims.

The Veteran seeks service connection for tinnitus, which he contends is a result of acoustic trauma in service. The RO denied this claim based on an October 2007 VA medical opinion that could not resolve the etiology of the Veteran's tinnitus without resort to mere speculation.

The Veteran's depression, tinnitus, and hearing loss are all found to be related to his military service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have first manifested during active duty service and has persisted since that time, granting the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is capable of securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not etiologically related to his in-service noise exposure, as there is no documented in-service symptoms or findings. The examiner concluded it was less likely than not that these conditions were due to military noise exposure.

The effective dates for the grants of service connection for tinea versicolor, bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are April 15, 1997.,The effective date for TDIU is determined to be April 15, 1997 through September 29, 1997 and from May 1, 1998 forward. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date was not properly filed as a free-standing claim.,The effective dates for the grants of service connection for major depressive disorder and recurrent lumbar radiculopathy status post hemilaminectomy and discectomy are April 15, 1997.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have chronic asbestosis or bronchitis related to service, and his chloracne is presumed due to Agent Orange exposure. The tinnitus was not incurred in service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus) are rated at 60 percent combined, but they do not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU rating because his education and experience allow him to engage in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus, but the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions.

The Board found that the Veteran's current tinnitus disorder is not related to his military service, including noise exposure. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted as service-connected, with the onset during service. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 50 percent disabling.,Service connection for DDD of the lumbar spine remains pending due to lack of final adjudication.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes, and his tinnitus is not etiologically related to service. The claims for shortness of breath and depression were also denied as there was no evidence of in-service asbestos exposure or psychiatric injury.