Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the appellant's employability solely based on his service-connected disabilities. The RO must obtain a medical opinion assessing whether he is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current diagnosis of bilateral tinnitus is related to his military service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify PTSD stressors and determine if the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and denied both claims.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and colon cancer, both claimed as secondary to herbicide exposure, have been withdrawn. The Board also dismissed the claims of service connection for tinnitus and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, both claimed as secondary to herbicide exposure, due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for treatment at Delaware Valley Hospital on September 30, 2005 were denied as the treatment was non-emergent and did not meet the criteria for reimbursement under VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the Appellant.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and residuals of a fractured right thumb were all granted. The Board found that the Veteran had in-service noise exposure which likely contributed to his current conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, and therefore denied these claims.

The Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred in or caused by his active military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of recurrent or persistent tinnitus and that any etiology is not related to military noise exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus did not have onset in service or within one year of service, nor were they caused by his active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability and tinnitus originated during his active service, and thus grants service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied, as well as his claims for increased ratings for bronchial asthma and herniotomy residuals. The RO found no relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly assess the Veteran's claims, including obtaining service treatment records and Social Security Administration disability benefits information. The Veteran should be afforded a VA examination for his hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may they be presumed to have been so incurred or aggravated. The Veteran's PTSD is currently manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and the effective date prior to September 10, 2004, for tinnitus has been addressed. The Veteran's claim for a proper amount of his February 2005 VA disability compensation payment is being referred to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC) in Washington, DC.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, right foot disorder, left shoulder disorder, low back strain, and left hallux valgus deformity were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder condition and a back condition, as well as his claims for glaucoma, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence submitted since the November 2001 rating decision did not provide new and material evidence to reopen any of these claims.