Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease, and the current conditions are not related to active service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, as there is no medical evidence of these conditions until many years after service. The only competent opinion addressing the question of a nexus between current diagnoses and service weighs against the Veteran's claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, residuals of a fracture of the left leg, and various knee disabilities. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus did not manifest during service or for many years thereafter, and is not related to his active service. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a nexus to service.

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

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, chloracne, and diabetes mellitus were denied as new and material evidence was not submitted. The claim for neuropathy is reopened but service connection is not granted due to lack of a nexus between the current condition and service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied. The Board found that the increase in left ear hearing loss during service was due to natural progression of a pre-existing condition, and less likely related to military noise exposure. For tinnitus, there is no evidence showing it was incurred or aggravated by service. Service connection for PTSD remains pending as the Veteran's claim has not been fully adjudicated.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is not eligible for continued REAP benefits due to his status as an inactive member of the National Guard, and did not re-affiliate within 12 months. The claim must be denied based on a lack of entitlement under the law.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor are they related to any other presumptive conditions. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there was no evidence of hearing loss within one year after separation from service. The claim for bilateral tinnitus is also denied due to lack of continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus can be reasonably disassociated from his military service and is granted.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, residuals of a broken nose, sinusitis, and bilateral eye disorders. The Veteran's conditions were not found to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hearing loss or tinnitus as a result of service and denied both claims.

The Veteran has tinnitus that is related to his military service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and left knee arthritis have been denied. However, the Veteran was granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left knee.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus and a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no legal basis to award higher evaluations under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus did not have their onset in service or are otherwise related to service, thus denying his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to in-service acoustic trauma and service connection for this condition has been granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's right and left shoulder disabilities are less likely than not related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that a program of independent living services, including bathroom remodeling, is not necessary for the appellant's independence in daily living.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.