Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal was denied for increased ratings and service connection claims. The gunshot wound residuals of the right shoulder with involvement of Muscle Group III are currently rated at 30 percent, while the other conditions have been addressed.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, including considering a VA examination and medical opinion. The case will be returned for further review.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, and service connection claims for a right shoulder disability, a lumbar spine disability, a cervical spine disability, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his current conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active naval service, including exposure to gunfire and acoustic trauma from working as a radio operator. As such, the claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted.

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 a nexus between these conditions and noise exposure in service. The Veteran's current hearing loss was noted on separation examination but did not manifest until after service, and his tinnitus began during service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical evidence and to arrange for the Veteran to undergo VA examination. The claims will be considered on the basis of the existing record.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, including noise exposure. The evidence does not show a chronic condition during or within one year after service.

The Board has determined that the duty to assist the Veteran has not been fully met with regard to his tinnitus claim, and a new VA examination is required.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus is being remanded due to the need for further development regarding the history provided by the Veteran and the accuracy of the VA examiner's version of events.

The Board has granted an effective date of February 20, 2003 for the total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, as evidenced by normal hearing at separation from service. The VA examinations did not provide sufficient rationale for their conclusions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for tinnitus and Meniere's disease due to inadequate examination reports, lack of in-service noise exposure documentation, and need for clarification regarding when symptoms began.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and skin cancer were denied. The Board found no evidence linking the current conditions to his military service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the issue of service connection for left ear tinnitus.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, both of which are presumed to have resulted from in-service acoustic trauma exposure.

The Veteran is found to be unemployable due to the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD rated at 50 percent. The case is remanded for issuance of an SOC on the issue of entitlement to a higher rating for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II; left acoustic neuroma/vestibular schwannoma; coronary artery disease; erectile dysfunction; hypertension; diabetic retinopathy; any other eye disability (other than diabetic retinopathy); dry skin (xerosis); bilateral hearing loss; tinnitus; neuropathy; and a disability manifested by numbness of the hands are not ready for decision due to lack of probative evidence of a nexus to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for further development, including a VA examination and medical nexus opinion regarding his burn scars on the legs and tinnitus.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there was no evidence to support a link between the claimed conditions and active service.