Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to a hearing issue and will schedule a Travel Board or video conference hearing at the RO.

The Veteran's appeal regarding increased ratings for left ear hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. This includes obtaining VA treatment records, as well as scheduling a new VA examination to determine the etiology of his current hearing disabilities.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his combined service-connected disability rating did not meet the schedular criteria for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability prior to November 1, 2009.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete records, including VA audiological examination results. The Veteran's hearing loss is currently considered ratable by VA standards, but further clarification on its etiology is needed.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and right ear hearing loss, as well as tinnitus. The Veteran did not have a current disability in these conditions at the time of the decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, asthma and bronchitis, and a left foot and ankle disability were denied. However, the Board found in favor of the Veteran on his claim for a left foot and ankle disability as it is likely related to service. The other claims remain denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to assess the combined impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability and considering whether referral for an extraschedular TDIU is warranted.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's assertions about noise exposure in service were not supported by medical evidence, and there is no continuity of symptoms since separation from service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need to obtain employment records from the Veteran's post-service job as a crane operator, inspector, and instructor at an air station. These records may support continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to his active duty service and grants entitlement to service connection for tinnitus.

The Board finds that the Veteran's tinnitus had its inception in service and grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an updated etiology opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as the current examination report used the incorrect legal standard.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are as likely as not due to noise exposure during his period of active service, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, tinnitus, and asthma were all granted service connection. The initial ratings for tinnitus and asthma are set at noncompensable and 30 percent, respectively.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a compensable rating for his inguinal hernia were denied. The Board found that the current 10 percent rating for ilio-inguinal nerve entrapment is appropriate, as well as the noncompensable rating for status post left inguinal hernia repair.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected as they are related to his active duty experience. The back disorder, arthritis of multiple joints, hypertension, and OSA do not have a direct link to his military service.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are causally related to noise exposure during service, warranting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for the period from February 17, 2008 to January 19, 2013 was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable during this time.