Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and tinnitus, do not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to April 5, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of his conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical opinions and ensuring all relevant evidence has been considered.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the current disabilities are at least as likely as not due to exposure to noise during active service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability has been rated as noncompensable prior to April 17, 2013 and at 20 percent from that date. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability.,For tinnitus, the Veteran is currently assigned a single 10% evaluation which is the maximum authorized under Diagnostic Code (DC) 6260.

The Veteran's tinnitus, asbestosis, and diabetes mellitus type 2 (diabetes) were all found to be related to service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, specifically due to exposure to loud noise during active duty. As a result, these conditions have been granted service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure the Veteran receives every possible consideration, including obtaining missing service treatment records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, as there is no evidence of chronic symptoms in service or within one year after separation. The weight of the evidence does not support a finding of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board finds that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military noise exposure, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board determined that the Veteran's current right shoulder arthritis and tendonitis, hearing loss disability, and tinnitus are not related to service.,Service connection was denied for all three conditions.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 was denied as his decubitus ulcers and osteomyelitis were not caused by VA medical treatment.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to determine if he was entitled to a TDIU prior to August 24, 2006 based on his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his employability.

The Veteran's tinnitus disability is found to be causally related to noise exposure during active service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was not shown during service or for many years thereafter, and there is no competent evidence linking this disability to service. The Veteran currently wears hearing aids in both ears.,On the other hand, the Veteran reported experiencing tinnitus since his military service, and a VA examination confirmed current tinnitus. There is credible evidence indicating that the Veteran's tinnitus began during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and ear infections with tinnitus has been reopened, and the Board finds that new and material evidence has been received to reopen these claims.,Service connection is established for a groin disorder (inguinal hernia) due to an in-service lifting injury.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for post-operative left knee internal derangement residuals due to receipt of new and material evidence. The claims for headaches, tinnitus, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, sleep apnea, and PTSD are all granted.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a neck disability, and a psychiatric disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to determine their etiology.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which he claims are related to his exposure to noise during active service. The VA examiner's opinion is inadequate due to the lack of a clear etiology without resorting to speculation.