Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current disability. The Veteran's tinnitus was present in service and continues to persist, warranting service connection.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but remanded to obtain additional evidence before deciding on their merits.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. However, further development is needed as there are conflicting medical opinions regarding whether these conditions were caused by in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is as likely as not due to noise exposure during his military service, and therefore grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability, traumatic brain injury, headaches, and tinnitus are denied as there is no credible evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining an opinion on his employability due to service-connected disabilities and considering whether he qualifies for TDIU based on the severity of his conditions.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are as likely as not related to his military service, including exposure to loud noise from radio work. As such, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service. The Board denied the claims of entitlement to service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is directly related to his service, including his inservice left ear surgery. As a result, the claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted.

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and verifying service in Vietnam.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral tinnitus, finding that there was no medical evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for recurrent tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of chronicity of symptoms since separation from service and that any current tinnitus is not related to incidents of military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to lack of a diagnosis of tinnitus at the time of the hearing, and now requires further examination to determine if the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to his service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of a nexus between the current disabilities and active service.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development, including obtaining service treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claims of bilateral hearing loss disability, bilateral tinnitus, and syncope (claimed as vertigo) will be considered on their merits.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are not related to service. The pre-existing left ear hearing loss was not increased in severity during service, and there is no evidence of a right ear hearing loss disability or tinnitus within one year after separation from service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for an additional VA audiological examination and opinion to evaluate the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities.