Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2008

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a back disorder, bilateral knee disorders, tinnitus, respiratory issues, erectile dysfunction, and PTSD. The reasons were that there was no evidence to support these claims based on the available records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, low back disability, and residuals of a concussion. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, as well as a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus. The evidence submitted since the May 1986 decision was either cumulative or insufficient to reopen the claim for right ear hearing loss.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and multiple myeloma. The Board found that there was no evidence of current disabilities or a nexus to service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including VA examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities and obtain any outstanding medical records.

The Board found no evidence of tinnitus or bilateral hearing loss during service and denied the veteran's claims for these conditions.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for tinnitus and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a link between the veteran's current tinnitus and his service-connected perforated tympanic membrane. The decision also acknowledges that the veteran experienced tinnitus in service and during civilian life.

The veteran's tinnitus is at least as likely as not related to inservice noise exposure, and the Board grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Board finds that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are attributable to exposure to acoustic trauma experienced during active service, and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus do not have a direct link to his military service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or hearing problems. The claim for service connection was denied.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The claim for service connection of low back disability, to include on a secondary basis, was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to the veteran's military service. The joint pain claim is also reopened.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated by his military service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year following separation from service.

The veteran's disabilities are of such nature and severity as to permanently prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, but he does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are likely due to acoustic trauma sustained during his military service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, as there is no evidence of a chronic disability during or within one year after service. The claim for PTSD was also remanded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus is related to his noise exposure during active duty and/or his already service-connected hearing loss disability, thus granting service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not occur in service or are not related to any incident therein. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Additional development is required, including obtaining medical records and providing an examination by a qualified examiner.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a right hip disorder. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.