Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest in service or within one year thereafter, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The Board found that civilian noise exposure and presbycusis were contributory factors.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, status post acromioplasty is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision.,The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection based on in-service acoustic trauma.

The Veteran is granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as these conditions are related to in-service noise exposure. The appeal regarding the initial disability ratings for cold injury residuals of the right and left feet has been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to service. The respiratory disability is not related to service exposure, but the Board acknowledges that the Veteran was exposed to asbestos during his service on the U.S.S. Baltimore.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and a respiratory system disability were denied as there is no clinical evidence of record that the Veteran has these conditions.

The Veteran's current tinnitus is related to service exposure, and the Board finds that the criteria for service connection are met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA medical examination to assess the impact of his service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus on his employability. The issues of TDIU and education benefits are also being reconsidered.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, upper respiratory disability (claimed as cough and shortness of breath), sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, and an upper respiratory condition secondary to herbicide and/or DDT exposure were also denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for weight problems, to include as due to undiagnosed illness, has been dismissed. The remaining claims of entitlement to service connection for sleep disturbance, fatigue, headaches, and tinnitus are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are causally related to his exposure to acoustic trauma during active military service, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA TBI examination and for issuance of a statement of the case regarding initial ratings for degenerative spondylosis of the cervical spine, hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability or tinnitus disability that is etiologically related to service. The preponderance of evidence is against finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are due to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's current tinnitus was manifest in service and has continued since service, thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, a neck disability, and a left shoulder disability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations to determine the existence of current disabilities and their etiology.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder is found to be proximately due to or the result of his service-connected intervertebral degenerative disc disease with spinal stenosis and atrophy of the spinal cord.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have hearing loss or a chronic ear disorder, and there is no evidence linking his tinnitus to service. The Board also found insufficient evidence to support secondary service connection for recurrent ear infections and vertigo.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and a varicose vein disorder with ulcer in the left leg, but denied service connection for other conditions. The effective date is set at April 2, 2001.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU based on their combined rating of 60 percent. The RO denied referral to the Director, Compensation and Pension Service, due to lack of evidence showing unemployability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus developed during his period of active duty service. For his bilateral knee disorders, a VA examination is required to determine if they are related to his periods of ACDUTRA and AD service.