Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied, as the evidence did not show a relationship to active service. The claim for dermatitis was also denied due to lack of sufficient disability coverage under VA rating criteria. The Veteran's right hip condition and major depressive disorder were evaluated but no compensable ratings were granted.

The Board has determined that there is no new and material evidence to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's claim was previously denied in January 1990, and while he submitted additional VA treatment records and a second VA compensation examination report since then, these documents do not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate his claims.

The Veteran's recurrent tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The Board found no evidence linking the current condition to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the residuals of a right tibial osteoid osteoma. The remaining claims, including those for secondary service connection and increased rating, are referred back to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to in-service noise exposure, and the Board finds that service connection for this disability is warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus that is related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing and issuing a statement of the case on the issue of separate compensable ratings for tinnitus in each ear.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest during service or within one year thereafter, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. Therefore, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, including in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the appellant's exposure during service and his current hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and increased ratings for ligamentous lumbosacral strain were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current tinnitus or a link between any current condition and service.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of current bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus, and the Veteran did not provide sufficient evidence to establish service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, a low back disorder, and PTSD. The Veteran's claims are supported by credible evidence of in-service stressors and medical diagnoses linking his current conditions to those events.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by active service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need to obtain medical records from a private clinician.

The Board has requested additional evidence from the Veteran to support his claims for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active military service, as there is no evidence of a disease or injury in service and no continuity of symptomatology. The VA examinations did not find any current hearing disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, while COPD and heart disease were not incurred or aggravated during service. The claim for service connection for COPD and heart disease is denied.