Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2009

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and right ear tinnitus are not service-connected, as there is no medical evidence showing a direct link to his military service. The preponderance of the evidence indicates these conditions are more likely related to occupational noise exposure after service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied.,Service connection for headaches associated with cervical spine disability was granted, but the initial evaluation is only 10% and not more.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities were denied as there is no evidence showing a current disability or a link to service.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus is properly evaluated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's defective hearing in the left ear and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to exposure to acoustic trauma during military service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

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

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether tinnitus began during service or is otherwise related to service. Therefore, service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as a result of noise exposure during service. Service connection for headaches, including as secondary to the service-connected low back disorder, was denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred in or related to service, and the Board denied his claim for service connection.

The Board dismissed the motion for clear and unmistakable error because the moving party did not provide sufficient details about the alleged errors or how they would have changed the outcome.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as he does not have current diagnoses of the claimed conditions and his dysthymic disorder was not caused or exacerbated by military service. The Veteran also does not have residuals of a head injury, including blackouts.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for TDIU was received on March 4, 2005. The effective date of this grant is set at March 4, 2004, based on the evidence showing his service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment as of January 9, 2003.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The appeal is pending in some cases, while others are denied outright.

The Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to acoustic trauma sustained during active military service.

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

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims based on in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, with no presumption or other special theory of connection applied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his current bilateral tinnitus, including whether it is related to service or service-connected PTSD. The AOJ will also review if there is evidence sufficient to warrant entitlement to service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to his exposure to noise trauma in service.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to unclear evidence regarding his employability.