Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2009

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability or tinnitus in his left ear, and there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to service. Therefore, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his Alzheimer's dementia, which is a nonservice-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including loss of teeth, sinus condition, vision problems, bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD), tinnitus, skin disability, and residuals of a left knee injury were denied. The decision also noted that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of a left knee disorder due to disease or injury incurred in service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, rash in the legs and groin, and chronic fatigue syndrome have all been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or service connection for these conditions.,There are conflicting statements regarding the onset dates of symptoms such as tinnitus and rash in the legs and groin.

The Veteran does not currently suffer from bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, or gout and did not have these conditions during any time period on appeal.

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.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination regarding his bilateral hearing loss and because he has filed a notice of disagreement with the denial of service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD have been granted. The Veteran has a principal diagnosis of PTSD from VA, which is reasonably attributable to his active service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions due to insufficient evidence and further examination is required.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not related to his military service, as there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or chronicity of symptoms within one year post-service. The VA examiner concluded that it was less likely than not that the current hearing loss and tinnitus were related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of current disabilities related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board found no evidence of current disabilities for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, or a lung disorder related to service. The Veteran's claims were denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence did not support these claims as they were not related to his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not have onset in service or within one year of service, nor were they caused by his active military service. Therefore, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD. The decision found that while the Veteran had current diagnoses of these conditions, there was insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between his military service and any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active military service, including exposure to loud noise during his time as a tail gunner. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a full readjudication.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service noise exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claim of skin disability was not addressed as it had already been previously denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.