Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right-sided hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. For his knee disabilities, the Board has determined that separate ratings of 10 percent are warranted for instability in both knees.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory/pulmonary disorder, hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied as there is no competent evidence to support the assertions that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further evaluation of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus to determine if they preclude all forms of gainful employment.

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

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are found to be related to service, with the Board granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the effective date for service connection of tinnitus is December 2, 2005, based on the submission of a private audiological report from Dr. Fliegelman.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, which is the maximum available schedular evaluation. The appeal for an increased evaluation is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are not related to his active service. The Veteran was granted service connection for these conditions based on direct evidence of a nexus between the current disability and service.

The Veteran's left herniorrhaphy scar is manifested by a one by 20 centimeter painful scar and has been rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board denied all service connection claims, finding that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The respiratory condition and psychiatric conditions are addressed separately as they may be related to service.

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and attempting to obtain OSHA records. The AOJ will then review the case and readjudicate it.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran currently has hearing loss and tinnitus, which are service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus. The appellant's claims will be re-adjudicated after a new VA examination is conducted.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to afford a VA examination for the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral knee disability claims. The RO is instructed to attempt to schedule these examinations, either at a correctional facility or by sending an examiner there.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional development being necessary, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, tinnitus, and malaria, are of such severity as to render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the criteria for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities have been met.

The Veteran was not rated as totally disabled at any time prior to his death, and therefore does not meet the minimum requirements for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The May 2004 rating decision denying service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus is final. New evidence received since then does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service, and he has a current diagnosis of migraine headaches due to head trauma. The status for the bilateral knee disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder remains unknown.