Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active duty, and thus denied both claims.

The Board found that prior to June 17, 1998, the appellant was not unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities. Therefore, an earlier effective date for the TDIU rating is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were found to be service-connected. His bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, while his tinnitus was granted service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The RO found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher schedular evaluations under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and Coast Guard Reserve personnel records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and Tinnitus, finding that there was no credible supporting evidence of a verified in-service stressor for PTSD and noting the Veteran's tinnitus is related to acoustic trauma in service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, including noise exposure during military service. As a result, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his current conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's in-service noise exposure likely caused his current condition.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, and his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from participating in all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied. The Board found no evidence of these conditions during his period of active military service or within the one-year presumptive period after separation. For the right shoulder, ankle, hip, and knee conditions, there is insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between these conditions and his service-connected right knee condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and retaining employment consistent with his abilities, aptitudes, and interests; he does not have an employment handicap.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus is incurred in service and granted service connection for this condition. The claim of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder remains pending as it was not addressed by the RO/AMC.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA audiological examination to determine if the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, including acoustic trauma sustained as a tank crewman while on active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have verified stressors for PTSD, and there is no evidence of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus related to service. As a result, the claims for these conditions are denied.

The Board has determined that the evidence received since the November 1997 rating decision does not relate the Veteran's tinnitus to his service and is therefore not material. As such, the claim of service connection for tinnitus may not be reopened.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a scar of the left thigh and tinnitus, finding that there was no current disability to support these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred or aggravated during service and denied his claim. The issue of a higher initial evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is remanded as it involves a new rating decision.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA audiological examination to assess the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.