Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2009

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and low back disorder due to lack of current evidence of a hip disorder, but granted service connection for low back disorder based on direct service connection. The decision did not address the Veteran's claim for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are service-connected, with the latter condition not being linked to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than June 30, 2004 for a 70 percent rating for PTSD and a TDIU based on service-connected PTSD are denied as there was no pending claim prior to that date.

The Veteran currently suffers from tinnitus, but the evidence does not support a finding that this condition had its onset during service or is otherwise related to his military service.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to in-service noise exposure and granted service connection for this condition. The hearing loss claim will be remanded as it requires additional development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss were denied as there is no legal basis to assign higher schedular ratings.

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

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA audiology examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions and issues, including lower back disability, gastroesophageal reflux disease, heart condition, hypertension, closed head injury residuals, hepatitis, syncope (fainting), bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a psychiatric disability. The case is being remanded for further action.

The Veteran died of malignant melanoma, a condition not service-connected. His death is not considered to be due to any service-connected disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.,There is no evidence of a relationship between the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities and his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus did not have its onset in service and the competent medical evidence does not relate it to his active service. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings and service connection was denied. The claim of a higher initial rating for primary insomnia was withdrawn by the Veteran prior to decision issuance.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The VA denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence linking his current tinnitus to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, thus denying these claims.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be caused by acoustic trauma during active military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to a lack of consideration of his exposure to aircraft engine noise in service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before a decision can be made on the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus. The case is therefore REMANDED to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC) in Washington, DC.

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