Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2009

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but the evidence now suggests a possible diagnosis of PTSD related to in-service stressors.

The veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is being remanded to the RO for further development.

The veteran's application to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus was granted, while the application to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus as there was no evidence of these conditions in service or within one year after discharge, and no competent medical evidence linking them to his military service.

The appeal is remanded to obtain additional evidence and medical opinions regarding the veteran's tinnitus, including records from his treating physician and potential employment-related records.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss but granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus. The claim for PTSD was remanded.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied due to a lack of credible evidence supporting the claimed in-service stressor and no corroborated diagnosis of PTSD.

The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and lipomas of the arms, legs, and abdominal wall were remanded for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and allergies as there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his active service.

The Board denied an effective date earlier than May 18, 1999 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus and hearing loss, finding no clear and unmistakable error in its previous decision.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not caused by or a result of his military service.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a skin disorder claimed as a residual of exposure to Agent Orange. However, it has denied service connection for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, and PTSD.

The Board remands the case to obtain a clarifying medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any current hearing loss, tinnitus, and left shoulder disorder that may be present.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's knee, shoulder, tinnitus, and headache conditions, but granted a 10% rating for gastroesophageal reflux with hiatal hernia.

The Board finds that service connection for tinnitus is warranted based on the veteran's prolonged exposure to communications equipment noise during service.

The Board denied the veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of a hearing loss disability during or within one year after discharge from service, and no credible evidence linking either condition to active service.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the veteran's tinnitus had its onset as a consequence of exposure to acoustic trauma during his period of military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as they were not attributable to his active service.

The veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and a special home adaptation grant were denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.