Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2009

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not submit new and material evidence to reopen his claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claim for tinnitus was also denied as there is no evidence showing a current disability or a relationship to active service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new and material evidence was not received to reopen his previously denied claim for bilateral hearing loss. The Board also found that there is no competent medical evidence linking the Veteran's current tinnitus to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus, which are inextricably intertwined with his service connection claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is due to in-service acoustic trauma and granted service connection for this condition. However, his claims for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss, but finds in favor of service connection for tinnitus. The claim is granted.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus and an eye disability were denied as there is no evidence of service connection. The claims for increased ratings for neck strain with herniated nucleus pulposus at C5-6 and thoracic and lumbar strain were also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at an approximate balance and the appeal will be allowed.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and vision loss as these conditions are not shown to be related to active duty.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the appellant's request for withdrawal.

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

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral hearing loss did not increase in severity during service and denied his claims for service connection for both bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus were denied. The claim for increased rating for low back disability was denied, but the claim for increased rating for left knee disability from July 1, 2008 to May 7, 2007 was granted with a 20% rating. The Veteran's claim for compensable rating for sinusitis with rhinitis was denied. The TDIU claim is referred to the RO.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral tinnitus, defective hearing, TBI with loss of memory and concentration, and lung disorder due to smoking. The appeals were based on direct service connection.

The Board has found that service connection is granted for hearing loss in the right ear and tinnitus, but denied for hearing loss in the left ear.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current skin disorder (chloracne) and tinnitus, as well as whether these conditions are related to service. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be remanded for further action.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, recurrent tinnitus, and residuals of nasal surgery (claimed as sleep apnea) due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate VCAA notice and procedural errors.

The Board found no current hearing loss disability in either ear and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. For tinnitus, the Board concluded that it was not incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to active service, as his right ear hearing loss pre-existed service and is not aggravated by in-service noise exposure. The left ear hearing loss does not meet VA compensation criteria.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease leading to these conditions. The claim for increase in hearing loss also failed as the current disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.