Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2008

The veteran currently suffers from tinnitus that had its onset during his active service, and the Board finds that the first element of a service connection claim has been met. The Board concludes that the remaining elements have also been met, namely, that the injury was caused in service and there is a nexus between that injury and his current disability. Service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus is likely due to noise exposure during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran developed hearing loss and tinnitus as a result of chemotherapy for his service-connected testicular cancer, which the Board finds to be proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of tinnitus and dismissed his appeal seeking a higher rating for tinnitus.

The VA determined that the veteran's additional disability was not caused by carelessness, negligence, or lack of proper skill on the part of VA in providing medical treatment. The Board found no evidence to support a finding of fault and denied compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus is likely due to noise exposure during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The claim of service connection for PTSD remains pending as there are conflicting diagnoses and stressor verification issues.

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 also found that the current diagnoses were not related to military service.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are not causally related to his military service, including exposure to noise during basic training.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service.

The veteran's claims for increased rating, service connection for back disorder, hearing loss, tinnitus, hepatitis C, and respiratory/lung disease (claimed as a residual of asbestos exposure) were denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of the veteran's tinnitus and conducting a VA examination.

The veteran's claim for defective hearing has been reopened and granted, with the addition of a finding that his tinnitus is service-connected.,Service connection was established for a dermatological disorder due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange/herbicides during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability rating for asbestosis, service connection for bladder cancer, and service connection for tinnitus. The veteran was not granted any of his claims.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no medical evidence establishing a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected vertigo does not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent, as he is already receiving the maximum schedular evaluation for his condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, as there is no evidence of a current disability during or within one year after service. The VA examiner found it unlikely that the disabilities were incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus did not have its onset during service and is not related to an in-service disease or injury, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for rescheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO level.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that both conditions are related to his exposure to acoustic trauma in service.

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