Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2009

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied. The claims for depression, hearing loss, and tinnitus are also addressed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service-connected Meniere's Syndrome, which began in 1957. The Veteran's hearing problems have worsened over time, with significant improvement noted after he left military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected and he was granted a disability rating of 40 percent for his bilateral hearing loss prior to August 12, 2004. The case remains pending for further review regarding the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 10% rating for tinnitus is denied as there was no prior claim or intent to file one before May 3, 1995.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for tinnitus were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his bilateral hearing loss, as it resulted in noncompensable disability ratings under VA criteria.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, GERD (secondary to PTSD), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are all granted. However, the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar spine disability is denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be incurred in service due to noise exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and eye disorders (diagnosed as age-related macular degeneration, posterior vitreous detachment, and incipient cataracts) were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of a chronic condition during service or within one year after separation from active duty, and the earliest medical evidence of these conditions is dated many years post-service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, specifically bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine disability, left ankle disability, tinnitus, or right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome. Therefore, these claims are denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Resolving doubt in favor of the Veteran, the Board finds that his current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to noise exposure during active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and right knee disability are not related to service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus did not begin in service and is not related to his military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus. The case is now remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right foot and forearm disabilities, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence did not establish current disability related to these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no current disability by VA standards and insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between any current symptoms and military service.

The Veteran's appeal in regard to service connection for diabetes mellitus has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board found no evidence of in-service hearing loss or tinnitus, and the Veteran's current conditions are more likely due to age-related changes rather than service. Therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus) do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, thus his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's tinnitus began in service and is related to noise exposure during active duty, granting service connection.