Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and medical opinion regarding his tinnitus claim. His hearing loss disability will also be evaluated.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss, asbestosis, and tinnitus) have made him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted the TDIU benefit.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is service-connected as it developed due to in-service noise exposure. Tinnitus was not incurred or aggravated by active service. Service connection for dental problems, for purposes of VA outpatient dental treatment, is denied because the Veteran did not sustain a compensable dental disability during service.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current disability.,Tinnitus was not shown in service or reported until 2007, and the Board finds it not related to service. The appeal for tinnitus is also denied.,Bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis pre-existed service and was not aggravated by service. Therefore, the Veteran's claim for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus did not have onset in service and was not caused or aggravated by his active service, thus the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations by a gastrointestinal specialist and an audiologist.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and treatment records from medical providers.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current tinnitus is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

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 resulting in these disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, right dominant forearm disability, and back disability are not related to service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have hearing loss or tinnitus during service, and there is no evidence of continuity of symptoms since service. Therefore, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new hearing before the Travel Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus on either a direct or secondary basis, and the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further development.

The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of tinnitus and credible evidence linking this condition to his service, specifically noise exposure in Vietnam. Therefore, service connection for tinnitus is established.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the Veteran's claimed tinnitus is not a result of acoustic trauma experienced in active military service and therefore, denied his claim for service connection.

The VA determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by active service, and therefore denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment, as his GAF score indicates mild symptoms and he is able to perform activities of daily living. His hearing aids allow him to work in most situations, and his tinnitus is described as bothersome rather than disabling.

The Veteran's tinnitus is attributable to service, and the Board finds that service connection for tinnitus is granted.