Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2009

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae and Tinnitus were denied as new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including arthritis, gout, back disability, hearing loss, tinnitus, lung disability (claimed as breathing problems), sleep problems, heart disability, kidney disability, and neck cancer have been denied. The Veteran withdrew his claim for service connection for gout.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including as due to undiagnosed illness, cannot be substantiated based on the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's coronary artery disease was aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The claim of service connection for tinnitus is denied as there is no evidence to support a finding that it was incurred in or related to military service.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

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 Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence of chronic symptoms in service, and the current complaints are not etiologically related to service.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus and his military service, including exposure to noise. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to PTSD, bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus related to noise trauma in service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance for the purchase of an automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, tinnitus, hypothyroidism, and prostate condition were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by his period of military service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right leg and neck shrapnel wounds, hearing loss, and tinnitus are denied as there is no credible evidence of in-service injury or exposure to noise that could have caused these conditions. The Veteran did not serve in Korea and has not received the Purple Heart.

The Veteran's tinnitus disability is currently rated at the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent, and no higher. The appeal for a higher rating must be denied.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability and tinnitus was not incurred in or related to service. Therefore, service connection for both conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is not related to his active duty service, but his tinnitus is related to his service. As such, service connection is granted for tinnitus.

The Board finds that the Veteran's recurrent tinnitus is etiologically related to active service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA audiology examination to determine if the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his period of active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus first manifested in service and is related to high noise levels experienced during combat. As such, the claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted.