Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is capable of performing the physical and mental acts required by employment.

The Veteran is entitled to a total rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities, effective January 26, 2007.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and diabetes mellitus due to exposure in Vietnam, but hearing loss was not shown during service or at any time thereafter.

The Board has remanded the case due to new theories of service connection and additional evidence, requiring further development before a final decision can be made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of in-service acoustic trauma or a current disability. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus were less likely than not caused by or related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and ear pain are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of his entire service period.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as noise exposure in service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right elbow and knee conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has determined that referral to the VA Compensation and Pension Service is warranted for consideration of a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is as likely related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, and thus grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the January 2004 rating decision is not final and a timely substantive appeal was filed. The Veteran's claims are remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA audio examination to determine the etiology of any current bilateral hearing loss and/or tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus and jungle rot of the feet have been granted. The Veteran has also submitted evidence suggesting he may have psoriasis and arthritis including psoriatic arthritis related to his service. These issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have onset during his military service, and the Board finds it at least as likely as not that the Veteran's hearing loss was also caused by his exposure to loud noises in service. Service connection for both tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, with the opinion being that both conditions are due to noise exposure in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were incurred in service, with noise exposure during active duty. As such, these conditions are granted as service connected.

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

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully evaluate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case will be returned to the Board after this development.

The Veteran's tinnitus had its onset in service and is related to his in-service noise exposure. Service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is being remanded due to the need for a new medical examination and an adequate rationale for the opinion.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a nexus between current hearing loss and service, as there was no showing of either hearing loss or tinnitus in service or for more than 50 years following separation from service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no current disability or evidence linking these conditions to his military service.