Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection.,However, the Veteran's left ear hearing loss has not met VA standards for a disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.385.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are as likely as not due to his exposure to acoustic trauma during active service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board found no evidence of service connection for PTSD or tinnitus, and denied the claims based on lack of medical evidence linking current disabilities to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus, a manifestation of his service-connected otitis media, is now rated at 10% effective January 31, 2004. His initial rating for left ear otitis media with hearing loss and occasional dizziness remains at non-compensable.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and recurrent tinnitus were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or link to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The claim for bilateral conductive hearing loss disability is not supported by the evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, thus the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and recurrent tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for clarification of private audiometric test results and a new VA examination.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are likely attributable to noise exposure during military service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, as there was no evidence of hearing loss in service or within one year postservice. The Veteran's STRs were silent for any complaints or findings regarding these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, an eye condition, tinnitus, and hearing loss of the left ear. The Veteran was not granted service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical center records and providing the Veteran with a supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, but denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of evidence showing in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The right thumb proximal phalanx fracture and right first toe hallux rigidus are rated as noncompensable, the bilateral hearing loss disability is rated as noncompensable, tinnitus is rated at 10 percent, and PTSD is rated at 30 percent.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is likely due to noise exposure during his period of active service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has ordered additional development due to incomplete service records and the need for further medical examinations.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's lay statements have provided additional information regarding the onset and continuity of his tinnitus, which raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's appeals for hearing loss and tinnitus were withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision. The appeal for PTSD was remanded for further evaluation.

The Board is remanding the case to provide corrective VCAA notice and to readjudicate whether new and material evidence has been submitted sufficient to reopen claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.