Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for bicuspid aortic valve disorder, tinnitus, and right knee disability. Bilateral hearing loss was not found to meet VA criteria for a disability rating.

The Board has recharacterized the issue and granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran likely incurred noise exposure during his service which is sufficient to establish a link between current tinnitus and his military service.

The Board denied the reopening of a claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, as new and material evidence had not been received. The Veteran's right ear tinnitus was also raised but is being referred to the RO for proper adjudication.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are being remanded due to inadequate VA opinion. Further development is needed, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and affording the Veteran a VA audiology examination.

The Veteran's monthly VA disability compensation benefits are too small to allow for a reasonable apportionment, resulting in financial hardship for both the appellant and the Veteran. The Board denied the claim for apportionment of the Veteran's VA benefits on behalf of his minor child.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further examination regarding his claimed disabilities. The claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is etiologically related to service, resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.,The claim for a stomach condition was reopened due to new and material evidence submitted since November 1981.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, coronary artery disease, low back strain, diabetes mellitus, cervical strain, and multiple knee conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has determined that a TDIU rating is warranted based on the combined effect of these disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, including exposure to loud noises during basic training. As such, both conditions have been granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, with the preponderance of evidence supporting this determination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus had onset in service or were caused by his active military service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus due to presumed exposure to herbicides during service in Vietnam. The Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any hearing loss, tinnitus, and spine disability. The claims are being remanded for these examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disorders are at least as likely as not related to his military service, including exposure to loud noise during his time in an artillery unit.

The Board has determined that the appellant currently suffers from bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as a result of noise exposure in active duty service, granting his claims for these conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or chronic ear infections, and the current conditions are not related to service.

The Board has reviewed the evidence submitted since the final November 2007 rating decision and finds that it is not new and material for the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. As such, these claims remain denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and left ear hearing loss disability due to insufficient evidence addressing the relationship between these conditions and his military service. A VA examination is required.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not render him unemployable, as his combined rating is 60 percent, which meets the percentage requirements for TDIU. The Board finds that his age is a greater factor in his unemployment than his service-connected disabilities.