Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and found that it is related to the Veteran's in-service noise exposure. The issue of entitlement to service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was denied as his combined disability evaluation is 60 percent, which does not meet the minimum percentage requirements. The RO/AMC must refer the Veteran's TDIU claim to the Under Secretary for Benefits or the Director of Compensation and Pension Services for consideration of assignment of an extra-schedular evaluation under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claims are currently pending as the VA has not yet provided a VA examination to address these conditions, nor have they been evaluated based on their merits.

The Board has determined that the appellant's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his active duty for training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA).

The Board found that the Veteran's current tinnitus did not have onset in service and was not caused by or related to his active military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient evidence to decide the claims, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance of another person, or at the housebound rate.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are found to be related to service, with the presumption of soundness on induction for hearing loss. The claim for TDIU prior to April 6, 2010 is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure. Service connection for PTSD is denied as there was no evidence of a nexus between service and the condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection, and his left knee disability received a 10 percent evaluation. The hearing loss claim is not part of the current appeal.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal on all issues related to service connection and rating for various conditions, including hearing loss with ear infections, tinnitus, onychomycosis of the toes and fingers, left shoulder disability, right hip bursitis, osteopenia, and chronic rhinitis and sinus infections.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if any respiratory disorders are related to service.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus need further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions and evidence. The Veteran's claims are being remanded to allow for these steps.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's testimony alone is sufficient to establish a link between his current condition and military noise exposure. The claim of bilateral hearing loss was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew it prior to decision.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are being remanded due to incomplete service records and need for further medical examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities, as well as whether they are related to service. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there is no competent evidence showing that his current conditions are related to his active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claim. The preponderance of the evidence showed no link between his current diagnoses and military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete evidence, including a lack of relevant military records from his Army Reserve period. The case will be returned to the RO/AMC for additional development.