Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2008

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination to determine the etiology of the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus.

The veteran's skin disability, pharyngitis, vertigo, heart disability (aortic valve replacement), and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service.,There is no evidence of a current skin disability related to mustard gas exposure, germ warfare, or cold injury.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete National Guard service records and further development is needed, including a VA audiological examination.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of myocardial ischemia or hearing loss and tinnitus, and the veteran's claims for these conditions are denied.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not preclude substantially gainful employment, as his educational background suggests he has the capability to pursue other forms of employment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, with the weight of evidence tipping in favor of a finding that these conditions began during his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, otitis media, a cyst in the ear (cholesteatoma), and a respiratory disorder. The Board found that these conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed chronic low back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are not related to his military service. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss, depression, and tinnitus) are sufficiently severe to preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation given his education and occupational experience. As such, he is entitled to a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, and his chronic disability manifested by headaches, sleepiness, and dizziness is not due to an undiagnosed illness as a result of Persian Gulf War service. The claim for increased rating for multiple lipomas was also denied.

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess his ability to work given his service-connected disabilities of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that there is no competent medical evidence establishing a current disability or link to military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss is likely due to in-service acoustic trauma from working on aircraft engines, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred during service or due to in-service noise exposure, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his service-connected dental trauma, and thus denied all of his claims.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative joint disease of the knees and tinnitus, finding no evidence linking these conditions to military service. The claim to reopen a bilateral hearing loss disability was also denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability or association with service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the veteran's current hearing impairment is related to his in-service acoustic trauma. Service connection for tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence linking it to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and active duty service.

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at non-VA facilities for aortic dissection were not reimbursable under VA regulations because the treatment was not related to a service-connected disability.