Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2009

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's in-service noise exposure likely caused his current condition.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, and his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from participating in all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied. The Board found no evidence of these conditions during his period of active military service or within the one-year presumptive period after separation. For the right shoulder, ankle, hip, and knee conditions, there is insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between these conditions and his service-connected right knee condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and retaining employment consistent with his abilities, aptitudes, and interests; he does not have an employment handicap.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus is incurred in service and granted service connection for this condition. The claim of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder remains pending as it was not addressed by the RO/AMC.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA audiological examination to determine if the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, including acoustic trauma sustained as a tank crewman while on active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have verified stressors for PTSD, and there is no evidence of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus related to service. As a result, the claims for these conditions are denied.

The Board has determined that the evidence received since the November 1997 rating decision does not relate the Veteran's tinnitus to his service and is therefore not material. As such, the claim of service connection for tinnitus may not be reopened.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a scar of the left thigh and tinnitus, finding that there was no current disability to support these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred or aggravated during service and denied his claim. The issue of a higher initial evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is remanded as it involves a new rating decision.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA audiological examination to assess the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hearing loss or tinnitus that is attributable to his military service. The VA examiner found no link between any current hearing loss and military service, and concluded it was less likely than not related to acoustic trauma experienced in service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn for the majority of issues. The claim for an increased rating for chronic fatigue syndrome is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation. The Veteran is also not entitled to special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board found no evidence of current bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus that is related to service, and thus denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus were both granted. The Board found that the Veteran had current tinnitus, which is related to his exposure to loud noises during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a respiratory disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest during service or within one year thereafter, and have not been shown to be causally related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of recent VA outpatient treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board found no evidence of in-service hearing loss or tinnitus, and concluded that the current conditions are not related to military service. The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were attributed to civilian occupational noise exposure.