Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Veteran is seeking a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. The Board has determined that additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an opinion regarding the impact of his service-connected conditions on his employability, is necessary.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is due to his active service and granted service connection for this condition. The left elbow disability claim was denied as there was no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a below-the-knee amputation of his left leg, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and other residuals from military service, render him unemployable due to the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is presumed to have been incurred in active service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which are service-connected disabilities. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran had some excessive noise exposure during service aboard two aircraft carriers. The Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes, but he has left ear conductive hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus related to in-service noise exposure. Service connection was granted for bilateral tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain or maintain a substantially gainful occupation as of January 3, 2007. Effective date of January 3, 2007 is granted for the establishment of TDIU benefits and Chapter 35 benefits.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for breast cancer, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been denied as there is no competent evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, with no clear evidence of noise exposure during service. The decision is based on credible testimony from the Veteran and his wife regarding symptoms since service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active duty service, thus granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus did not develop during service and is not related to any in-service noise exposure. As a result, the claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and right ear hearing loss are service-connected due to aggravation during active duty, while tinnitus is also service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including a VA audiometric examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus was granted as the evidence supported these conditions were related to his military service.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The VA examiner could not provide a clear opinion without resorting to speculation, as there was no significant upward shift in tested hearing thresholds during service or any inservice diagnoses of hearing loss or tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing. The issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus remain pending.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable evaluation of 40 percent under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for DDD of the lumbar spine with right lower extremity radiculopathy effective from July 10, 2007 has been dismissed due to withdrawal.,The Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance is granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, including noise exposure during flight operations aboard an aircraft carrier.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, as they make it impossible for the average person to follow such an occupation.

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