Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claim for service connection for the residuals of a head injury, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, memory loss, headaches, tinnitus, postural vertigo and status post loss of consciousness, and scar of the left ear is granted.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for an examination and a determination of whether his service-connected disabilities alone render him unemployable.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus did not have its onset in service and is not related to his military noise exposure. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's tinnitus is etiologically related to his active duty.

The Veteran's left hand osteoarthritis is rated at a 20 percent disability, effective from the date of award. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened due to new evidence received since the last final denial.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were granted with effective dates of May 23, 2006. The Board finds that the earlier effective date claim is denied as there was no informal or formal claim filed prior to May 23, 2006.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an increased rating of 70 percent for PTSD, effective May 5, 2006. The earlier effective date claim for the PTSD rating is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus did not occur during service and is not related to his military service, thus denying his claim.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of current bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus due to service, and thus denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, including any acoustic trauma he may have experienced.

The Board found that the Veteran's current tinnitus did not have its onset during service and is not related to his military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that there was no medical evidence showing a relationship between the condition and his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and recurrent tinnitus are not related to his active service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a nexus to service.

The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for tinnitus, as there was no indication of an incident of acoustic trauma or ringing in the ears (tinnitus) during service. The Veteran's separation examination included a normal clinical evaluation of his ears and he did not complain of tinnitus at that time.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his active duty service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The appellant's tinnitus was incurred in service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes and that his complaints of impaired hearing are not related to his military service. For tinnitus, there is no evidence demonstrating it manifested as a result of his military service.

The Board found in favor of service connection for tinnitus and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

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