Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2009

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. However, the claim remains denied as there is no competent evidence linking his current bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is presumed to have been incurred during service, and his claim for tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran claims service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, alleging exposure to noise during active duty. The Board finds the need for a VA examination to determine current diagnoses and etiology.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and further examination. The claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus. The Veteran's account of in-service acoustic trauma and post-service symptoms is considered credible, and the Board finds it at least as likely as not that his current bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were incurred during military service.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is denied as his combined evaluation does not meet the threshold requirements and he is not precluded from securing and following some form of substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the appellant's cause of death and TDIU claims due to incomplete development, including a need for VA outpatient treatment records from 2003-2004 and SSA disability benefits decision. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are being evaluated by a VA physician.

The Board has determined that the appellant's alcoholism is not service-connected due to it being a result of voluntary and willful drinking. The claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and ulcers were denied as well.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to noise exposure during active military service. The claim for tinnitus remains pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are both granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining records from his time in the U.S. Naval Reserve and at the Corpus Christi Vet Center.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations, and there is no evidence of extra-schedular consideration being warranted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his active duty service, but there is no evidence linking his tinnitus to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is not related to his active duty service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that there is no competent evidence linking the appellant's hearing loss and tinnitus to his service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with tinnitus and the Board finds that it is likely related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service treatment records and needs further examination and development of evidence before deciding on the claims.

The Board has denied the reopening of a previously denied claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but granted service connection for tinnitus. The decision is mixed as to whether new and material evidence was received for the hearing loss claim.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if the appellant's current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, specifically noise exposure. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are found to be related to his active service, while the respiratory disability claim is remanded for further development.