Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities, as the September 2009 VA examiner did not consider the Veteran's statements regarding in-service noise exposure and the continuity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the basic eligibility requirements for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to lack of loss of use of extremities or blindness.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus did not begin during service and is not otherwise caused by his military service, including any noise exposure. The preponderance of evidence is against a finding of service connection for tinnitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing disability did not meet the criteria for service connection as there was no evidence of a hearing loss disability in service and the VA audiologist concluded that his hearing loss is not caused by or a result of military noise exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current tinnitus and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss (rated as 80 percent disabling) and tinnitus (rated as 10 percent disabling), meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU, and the collective lay and medical evidence on the question of the nature and severity of his service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral high frequency hearing loss and chronic low back pain with degenerative joint disease, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that he meets the percentage requirements for TDIU.

The Board found no evidence of an inner ear disability, hearing loss, or tinnitus being incurred in service and denied the Veteran's claims for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are related to his service. The evidence is at least as likely as not that these conditions were incurred during his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for lumbar strain was denied as his range of motion did not meet the criteria for a 10% rating under VA's General Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.,Effective dates prior to November 19, 2005, were denied for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as they were both granted effective on that date.

The Board found that the Veteran's claims of service connection were denied as there was no evidence linking his current conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is causally related to his active duty service, and the Board finds that service connection for tinnitus is warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his ability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities. The case will be readjudicated after obtaining any outstanding treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his active military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability that can be linked to his military service.

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

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining his complete service personnel records and a new VA addendum medical opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are not related to his military service. The evidence does not establish exposure to herbicides or other conditions during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus did not begin during his military service, nor were they caused by any in-service noise exposure. The respiratory condition, chronic nosebleeds, thumb nail condition, skin condition, and gum condition are also not supported by evidence of record as being related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II as secondary to herbicide exposure and for tinnitus. The Veteran's claims are now in full resolution.