Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2009

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, neurological condition of the hands, a respiratory condition, and PTSD due to lack of competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable. The Board finds that his tinnitus, which he contends is related to his service-connected hearing loss, has been established and granted service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including verification of service dates and a VA examination to determine the etiology of his hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Board hearing at the RO.

The Veteran does not have tinnitus as a result of his service. His claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral defective hearing and tinnitus were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was granted service connection, but his claims for tinnitus and PTSD were denied as they are not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are related to his active military service, while the claims for a lung disability and an eye disability have been denied as they were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of hearing loss during service or within one year after service. The Board also found negative medical evidence linking his current conditions to his military service.

The Board found no evidence of an acquired psychiatric disorder being incurred as a result of service, and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for residuals of a fracture of cervical vertebrae, as he did not submit new and material evidence. The claims for hearing loss and tinnitus are pending and will be addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disorder and tinnitus, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. This includes obtaining records from the Air Force Base in Wichita, Kansas and affording the Veteran a VA examination.

The Veteran is entitled to payment or reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private hospital due to emergency treatment received on May 29, 2006. VA facilities were not feasibly available and the condition was considered an emergency.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are causally related to his in-service acoustic trauma.

The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current bilateral tinnitus is related to military noise exposure, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus and granted it. Service connection for diabetes mellitus is granted on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicides in service.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and cold injury residuals of the feet, finding no evidence linking these conditions to active duty service.