Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain and consider private audiology reports, as well as updated VA records. The Veteran's service information supports his reports of exposure to excessive noise during both periods of active service. The examiner is asked to review the claims file and provide opinions regarding whether hearing loss and tinnitus were incurred or increased in severity during service.

The Board has determined that the March 2009 VA examination is inadequate and requires additional development, including obtaining clarification of the Veteran's National Guard service dates and providing an opinion regarding whether his hearing loss and tinnitus are related to periods of active duty or National Guard service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for tinnitus has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. Service connection was also granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), but with the condition being presumed to have existed prior to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus did not begin in service and is not related to any incident of military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral defective hearing and tinnitus as the evidence did not show a current disability related to service.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance of another/housebound is being remanded due to unclear factual entitlement, including whether any single service-connected disability renders him unemployable or if he qualifies for SMC based on a need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, finding new and material evidence. The claims are now pending before the Board.

The Board is remanding the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has lost use of either lower extremity, and whether any bilateral knee, hip, or low back disabilities are proximately due to or aggravated by service-connected lower extremity disabilities. The appeal will be returned to the Board after these determinations.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to incomplete medical opinions. The VA will conduct further examinations and provide a complete rationale for the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service noise exposure. However, there is no evidence of frostbite or its residuals during service.,Regarding the claim for residuals of frostbite of the right great toe, the Veteran did not have a diagnosed condition at any point during service and there is insufficient medical evidence to establish that he currently has this disability.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The most probative evidence indicates that his current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling a VA examination to assess his PTSD symptoms and their impact on employment.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for a more complete examination of his service-connected disabilities and their impact on employment.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for tinnitus and right ear hearing loss at a Travel Board hearing held on March 16, 2011. The claim for left ear hearing loss is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination, as well as the retrieval of relevant treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and recurrent ear infections, but granted a higher initial rating of 50% for PTSD. The right ankle disorder claim is remanded, as are the TDIU claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate notice regarding unavailability of private medical records. The Veteran must be informed that certain records could not be obtained and provided with an opportunity to respond.

The Board has referred the Veteran's TDIU claim to the Under Secretary for Benefits or Director of Compensation and Pension Service for an extra-schedular evaluation under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b) due to his service-connected disabilities, such as PTSD, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss.