Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral upper extremity and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as his claim for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure, have not been substantiated. The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to in-service acoustic trauma. His right ear hearing loss is also found to be related to service. No new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for bilateral upper extremity and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy or left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's TDIU claim was withdrawn during his August 2011 hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, coronary artery disease, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, result in a combined 80 percent evaluation and preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment. The criteria for entitlement to a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities are met.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD. The claim for recognition of his son M.C. as a 'helpless child' was granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.

The Board found no evidence of in-service hearing loss or tinnitus, and the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there is no direct service connection.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU benefits is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess his employability and the impact of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's current tinnitus is found to be related to exposure to acoustic trauma during active duty service, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus disability for VA purposes and the Veteran's assertions are not credible. Therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is denied.

The Veteran's current major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are related to his service-connected lumbosacral degenerative disc disease. The Board grants these claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of left ear hearing loss or tinnitus, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions. The claim for chronic urinary tract infections is remanded as there are conflicting statements regarding its existence during service and post-service. The claim for thoracolumbar strain remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not preclude him from obtaining and retaining all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that further development of the evidence is required before the claims can be adjudicated, and these cases are being remanded to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC).

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. The issue of a higher rating for diabetes mellitus is remanded due to failure to provide a Statement of the Case.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate evidence and the need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and conducting a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, while left ear hearing loss is not shown during the appeal period.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current tinnitus disability and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss, resulting in his now having bilateral hearing loss. The case is being remanded to have him reexamined to rate his new bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a left knee disability was granted, but the condition is not considered secondary to any service-connected disability. The maximum schedular rating of 10% has been assigned for tinnitus.