Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2008

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and right ankle strain. The decision found no evidence of current disability related to service, with the exception that the veteran's denial of ringing in his ears at a post-deployment health questionnaire was considered more credible than his later assertions.

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

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that there was no relationship between his current tinnitus and in-service noise exposure.

The Board found that the veteran did not incur hearing loss or tinnitus as a result of his military service and denied all claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The current disabilities are related to military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected postoperative separation of web fingers at the right middle finger and right ring finger warrants a 10 percent disability rating, effective November 2003. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a head injury, including hearing loss and tinnitus, is being remanded due to missing service records. Additional efforts are required to locate relevant medical records from his active duty 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 medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is granted, but not at a compensable level. Service connection for tinnitus is granted based on the veteran's credible history of exposure to acoustic trauma in service and his current symptoms.

The Board has determined that the appellant's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are attributable to service. The claim for low back disability is pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to the unavailability of service records and a need for additional development, including an examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service. The VA examiner found that any hearing loss was more likely due to age-related factors rather than noise exposure during service.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral tinnitus is currently rated at a 10 percent evaluation, which is the maximum rating authorized under Diagnostic Code 6260. The Board denied the request for an increased initial rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging an audiological examination to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to unclear audiometric evidence and need for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected ankle disabilities played a material causal role in his death, and therefore grants service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The veteran is seeking service connection for chronic bilateral hearing loss disability and chronic tinnitus. The Board has determined that a VA examination should be conducted to determine the etiology of these conditions, as well as their relationship to his inservice head trauma and any related service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are related to his military service, including in-service noise exposure.