Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, along with other disabilities, does not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA audiological examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of in-service injury or noise exposure. The current conditions are considered to be related to his civilian employment and recreational activities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hearing loss or tinnitus that is attributable to his active military service and thus denied both claims.

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

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not incurred in or related to his active military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral tinnitus and hearing loss were denied as the current schedular evaluations are adequate to evaluate these conditions, and there is no evidence of marked interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization.

The Board has remanded the claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records related to the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling a VA examination, and readjudicating the claims.

The Board found that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The decision is mixed, as some issues may be granted while others are denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence has been submitted. The Board also found that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his active military service, with noise exposure being the primary factor.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding these conditions and thus applying the benefit of the doubt rule.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, and right shoulder strain are not supported by the evidence of record. The Veteran did not have any diagnosed disabilities during active service or within one year post-service, and there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The VA examiner found no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus and his active duty.

The Veteran's headaches have been rated at 10% since May 16, 2005. The Veteran's tinnitus has not resulted in a higher rating under the applicable criteria. His cognitive disorder due to traumatic brain injury does not meet the criteria for a separate rating.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are attributable to his military service, resulting in a grant of service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and tinnitus are related to his active service, warranting service connection for these conditions. The claim for stomach pain with constipation is denied as there is no evidence of a direct relationship between the condition and service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that there is a need to verify the Veteran's periods of active duty, inactive duty training, and service treatment records. The Veteran should be contacted for further information regarding his claimed conditions during service.