Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not shown to be related to his active service, and the Board finds that they were likely caused by non-service-connected factors.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which he attributes to his active duty service. The Board finds that additional evidence is needed before a decision can be made on these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's inservice noise exposure was sufficient to cause his current condition.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and left leg disability. The claims are being remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of his bilateral hearing loss and recurrent tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may they be presumed to have been incurred in service. The claim for a scar on the left arm was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus was denied as the evidence does not support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that March 31, 2008 was the earliest possible effective date.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus did not start during service or due to military noise exposure, and denied his claims.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that both conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ear tinnitus is related to in-service noise exposure and grants service connection for this condition. Service connection for left ear hearing loss was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, including noise exposure. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current tinnitus is not related to service or his service-connected residuals of a right tympanic membrane perforation, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy of all four extremities, tinnitus, and acneform, are found to be sufficient for a TDIU based on the evidence showing he is unemployable due to these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable. Service connection for tinnitus was denied, but the Veteran's onychomycosis (fungal infection in toenails) has been granted based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active duty service, warranting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the VA examination was inadequate and remanded for further action, including a new audiometry evaluation and opinion regarding service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to his military noise exposure. The claim for service connection of a colon disorder including cancer remains pending as there is insufficient evidence to determine its relationship to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to military service and grants entitlement to service connection for tinnitus. The case is remanded for further examination of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.