Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's tinnitus was incurred during his active service and is granted as service connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to acoustic trauma incurred during his military service, specifically in combat situations in the Vietnam campaign. As a result, the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the relationship between service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, requiring further clarification from the examiner.

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

The VA determined that the Veteran does not have current hearing loss or tinnitus, and thus cannot grant service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations. No higher rating is available for these conditions.

The Veteran's petition to reopen a claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder was granted. The Board found that the Veteran's major depressive disorder is likely caused by chronic right hip pain associated with his service-connected post-operative residuals of an excision of a tumor of the right hip with arthritis.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not related to his service, as there was no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus in service. The VHA consultant concluded that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are more likely due to post-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that a new examination is necessary to determine the etiology of the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as obtain any relevant treatment records. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions as a result of his service. His claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not incurred in or related to service, including noise exposure during service. As a result, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not begin during service or as a result of service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities was factually ascertainable as of December 6, 2006. Therefore, an effective date of June 6, 2007 for the TDIU is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, including noise exposure during active duty. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, finding that it was aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected arthritis of both hips. The other issues remain pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate disability, heart disability (sinus bradycardia, atrioventricular block and right bundle branch block), arthritis, a disability of the hands and feet, to include residuals of frostbite, bilateral eye disability, tinnitus, and bilateral leg disability. The Board found no relationship between these conditions and military service.

Your appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The Veteran has requested such a hearing in connection with his claims of service connection for spondylosis, lumbosacral spine; asbestosis; silicosis; sleep apnea, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches, tinnitus, and mild to moderate disc bulging at L4-5 with mild bilateral neural stenosis are granted. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by his military service. The evidence did not establish a medical nexus between his military service and these conditions.