Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and is not related to service. As a result, the claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims due to procedural issues and the need for further evidentiary development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, right knee strain, and skin lesions are related to his service. The decision is granted for all issues.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for a VA opinion on his employability and whether he meets the criteria for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus) have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU from October 20, 2008.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus for VA compensation purposes and finds no link between his military service and these conditions. Therefore, service connection is denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, particularly from aircraft service. Therefore, these conditions have been granted as service-connected.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during or immediately following his active duty. The VA examiners concluded that the Veteran's tinnitus and hearing loss were not directly related to his service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new evidence supports these claims. The Veteran's current hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure, and his tinnitus is also likely due to this same exposure.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is currently rated at 30 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating of 50 percent is warranted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no medical evidence establishing a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss were not incurred in service, as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The Veteran's lay testimony regarding when he first experienced these symptoms was inconsistent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, which combine to a schedular evaluation of 90 percent, likely do not allow him to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise in showing that he is unable to perform such work.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and need for further medical examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise on these issues. The Veteran's statements and testimony concerning noise exposure are credible as they align with his service record.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for tinnitus and hearing loss, finding that new evidence supports these claims. The case is now remanded to determine if service connection can be granted for chronic left ear disorder (otitis) and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bronchitis with granuloma, postoperative (lung disability), bilateral hearing loss, duodenal ulcer, tinea versicolor, arms and chest, and tinnitus, render the Veteran unemployable. The Board finds that entitlement to individual unemployability is warranted.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty military service and denied his claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an adequate VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran is scheduled for a VA examination to determine if his current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service.