Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus are related to his active duty service. The Veteran is granted service connection for these conditions, but the issue of an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss remains pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by his military service. The evidence did not establish a current disability for tinnitus, and the VA examiner opined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was less likely caused by his military noise exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied his claims for service connection. The Board also noted that tinnitus was not attributable to service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral tinnitus is denied. The effective date assigned by the March 2006 rating decision, which is October 17, 2005, is affirmed.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted as it was incurred during service.,Right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are not granted as they were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the relationship between his current hearing loss, tinnitus, and perforated ear drum disabilities and service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, thus denying his claims for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus did not have its onset during service and is not related to military noise exposure. As a result, the claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, considering his educational and occupational background.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to missing service treatment records and a need for a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss, but granted service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's pre-existing conditions were not aggravated by active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute to his death. The respiratory disorder was not related to his service and he died from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not experience an in-service stressor and therefore, service connection for PTSD cannot be granted. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are also denied as there is no evidence to support a diagnosis or etiology related to these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his right knee disability and determine whether he has current hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities. The examiner must also provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of bilateral tinnitus or asbestosis, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, chronic tinnitus, and chronic skin disorder (including chloracne) are not related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's long history of ringing in his ears is related to noise exposure during military service. The claim for an increased rating for organic heart disease with history of myocardial infarction and status post coronary artery bypass graft remains pending.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which he claims are related to noise exposure during his military service. The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current hearing impairment and/or tinnitus, as well as its relationship to active service.

The Board is remanding the claims to the RO for further development and consideration due to the need for proper VCAA notice, additional medical opinion regarding tinnitus etiology, and other procedural steps.