Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining National Guard treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus. The claim will be reviewed after additional development.

The Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during service and the current tinnitus is more likely related to post-service noise exposure. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not of such severity as to render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD and links it to an in-service stressor. The other claims (for hearing loss and tinnitus) are denied.

The Board has granted a 30 percent disability rating for Eustachian tube dysfunction, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are already service-connected with respective ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are incurred in active service, with continuity of symptomatology since separation.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected, as there is no evidence showing a connection between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claims due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as the need for VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, as there is no evidence of in-service hearing loss or tinnitus. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is not entitled to service connection for bilateral hearing loss or a back disorder, but finds that he currently has tinnitus and it is related to his military noise exposure. Service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board found that the Appellant did not have hearing loss or tinnitus during his period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) from February 1961 to August 1961, and thus could not establish service connection based on direct service connection. The Appellant's lay statements regarding current disabilities were deemed insufficient to meet the burden of proof.

The Board found no current evidence of fungal otitis externa, bilateral hearing loss, or tinnitus. The Veteran's service connection claims for these conditions were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU, including on an extra-schedular basis.

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

The Veteran's tinnitus and left ankle osteoarthritis have been assigned the maximum schedular ratings available. The RO denied increased rating claims for these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including lumbar stenosis with herniated disc and radiculitis, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, residuals of frostbite to both hands, residuals of frostbite to both feet, and left lower shin dermatitis. The case will be returned to the RO after completion of this development.

The Veteran is in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected conditions, including PTSD with dysthymic disorder, dumping syndrome, and other disabilities. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are not related to service, as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the need for an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service or a medication used to treat a service-connected disability.