Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss were denied as there was insufficient evidence of a link between his current disabilities and his period of active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and examination to address the existence and etiology of his claimed conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, testicular disability, and skin disability.

The Board has found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are etiologically related to active service, thus granting service connection for these conditions. The claim for sinusitis is remanded as it requires further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic low back disorder, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus as there was no evidence of current disabilities or a nexus to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied, but his claim for tinnitus is granted.

Your appeal is being remanded because you requested a videoconference hearing, which has not been scheduled. You will be given the opportunity to appear before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no medical evidence establishing a nexus between current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's request for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was denied as the maximum schedular evaluation of 10 percent is already assigned.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's extensive noise exposure during service is a plausible causal factor for his current hearing impairment and ringing in the ears.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus. The evidence shows that the Veteran currently suffers from bilateral high frequency sensorineural hearing loss, which is likely related to his military noise exposure. Tinnitus was also found to be related to service. Therefore, both conditions are granted as service connected.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to noise exposure during service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with all reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than January 14, 2004, for the grant of service connection for tinnitus in his left ear. The claim for service connection for stomach ulcers is remanded to obtain additional medical records and a supplemental opinion.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability, residuals of a crush injury (including broken left leg and left ankle), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were not incurred in or related to his active service.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination and opinion are needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and skin cancer. Additionally, all relevant medical records must be obtained.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to lack of evidence showing a current disability or a link between his military service and these conditions.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to verify the Veteran's periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and/or INACDUTRA. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for residuals of rupture of left scrotum, tinnitus, and psychiatric disorders (including PTSD and MDD), as well as his claim for TDIU. The decision also noted that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for residuals of rupture of left scrotum.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are all found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus claims are remanded for additional development as the VA examinations were inadequate. The Veteran also has a claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II.