Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbar spine disability, and hypertension were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence does not show a current disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be service-connected as it began during active duty and has continued since then.

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

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The evidence does not show occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and further evidentiary review.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and review of his service records. The issues are whether he has bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus that are related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not have their onset during service or within one year of separation, and were not due to any in-service noise exposure. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus is denied as the current rating adequately compensates his disability.,The criteria for entitlement to TDIU have not been met, as the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining records regarding alleged stressful events in Vietnam and VA examinations to determine the etiology of any diagnosed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated by service, and is therefore denied.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity and right lower extremity is granted as these conditions are associated with his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active duty service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board finds that the Veteran's tinnitus is etiologically related to service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

Service connection for PTSD has been granted.,Pending decisions on service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 20 percent since July 6, 2011. The Board found that his tinnitus claim was not properly before the Board and remanded it for further action.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine the etiology of any current hearing loss disability and tinnitus, as well as their relationship to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right and left knee limitations, tinnitus, sinusitis, degenerative joint disease, hearing loss, and malaria, do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and finds that new evidence received since the last final denial is sufficient to establish a current disability. The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be related to his military noise exposure, including from grenades during training exercises. As such, both claims are granted.

The Veteran's claims for reopening of tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been remanded. The claim for PTSD remains pending as the service connection theory is considered 'direct'. No rating or effective date has been assigned.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's current tinnitus is found to be likely due to exposure to noise during service, while his bilateral hearing loss meets VA criteria for a disability. Service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a psychiatric disability (depression) are related to her military service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.