Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2009

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as their relationship to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing service records and a need for further medical examination.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, specifically bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his service exposure to noise, specifically from the 5-inch-58 ship guns and rifle fire during training. Service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his left shoulder disability, service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and to reopen his claim for recurrent dislocations of the left shoulder. The decision also noted that he had already been granted service connection for the left shoulder sprain in 1948.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest during service or within one year thereafter, and they are not etiologically related to his military service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA audiologist or otolaryngologist's review and medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence linking these conditions to military noise exposure. The pre-existing left ear hearing loss disability at entry into service is considered a factor against granting service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen his previously denied claims. The decision also addressed other issues such as evaluations for various disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to verify his service dates and obtain relevant medical records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's reported history of ringing in his ears since service is credible and demonstrates both a continuity of symptomatology and chronicity of the condition. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence to support a finding that it was incurred during or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active duty service and granted service connection for this condition. The decision on bilateral hearing loss was denied as there was no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected due to noise exposure during combat. The claim for PTSD remains pending and requires additional development.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus that is related to his active service. The evidence shows no in-service complaints, treatment, or diagnosis for these conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active duty service and the Board finds in favor of granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA audiology examination to determine the etiology of any current hearing loss or tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are due to service exposure. The appeal is granted.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for PTSD, Erectile Dysfunction, Bilateral Hearing Loss Disability, and Tinnitus due to lack of credible evidence supporting in-service stressors.