Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2008

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, as it was incurred during active duty due to exposure to aircraft engine noise.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are the result of noise exposure during his military service, warranting service connection.

The Board has granted the veteran's petition to reopen his claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The evidence now shows that these conditions are related to noise exposure during military service, leading to a grant of service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or related to service, including as a result of noise exposure. The claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a lack of a valid medical nexus opinion and the need for an examination.

The veteran was granted service connection for PTSD, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and multiple other disabilities due to shell fragment wounds in service. The Board found that the evidence supported a diagnosis of PTSD based on verified combat stressors, but did not find sufficient evidence to support current diagnoses or etiology for the other conditions.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluation of tinnitus and reopening of service connection claims for low back pain, right knee disability, and left knee disability were denied. The Board found no legal basis for the assignment of a schedular evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus and that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the claims for low back pain and right knee disabilities.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus has been assigned the maximum schedular evaluation available under both old and new versions of the regulation, and his claim for separate 10 percent evaluations is denied.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) as there was no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and the veteran's military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a current disability related to military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus is related to his exposure to acoustic trauma during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not causally related to active service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which he claims are related to noise exposure during his military service. The Board has determined that additional examination and opinion are needed due to the potential impact of Reserve service on the findings.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no current evidence of these conditions. The veteran's claims are referred to the RO for further consideration.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbar spine disability and determine if he has bilateral hearing loss. The issue of tinnitus will also be deferred until further information can be obtained.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection claims for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, but finds that neither condition was incurred in or aggravated by military service.

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 relevant medical records and scheduling a VA audiological examination.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a causal relationship between these conditions and active service.