Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2010

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic lumbosacral strain as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The only competent opinion addressing these issues is against the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for a medical opinion regarding the relationship between his GERD and military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor could they be presumed to have been so incurred. The evidence did not establish a current disability for PTSD or an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied. The Board found no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a nexus between current hearing loss and tinnitus and service, thus denying the claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left knee disability, bilateral trench foot, viral hepatitis, dental disorder (grinding teeth), bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right arm lipoma, benign prostatic hypertrophy, and left big toenail condition. The evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, primarily his respiratory disability and hearing loss, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the fair preponderance of the evidence indicates that the Veteran is unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment due to these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic kidney disease and a back condition, as well as his claim for increased rating for PTSD. The Board found no evidence of a relationship between these conditions and his active military service.

The Board found that there is no competent evidence linking the Veteran's tinnitus to his service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus for VA compensation purposes and therefore, service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus is being remanded due to the unavailability of his service treatment records. The Board requires a VA audiometric examination to determine if he has current disabilities related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus did not start during service and is not related to in-service noise exposure. Therefore, the claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis of the left knee, and right shoulder disability. The claim for arthritis of the right knee was also denied as secondary to the left knee condition. No new evidence reopened any previously denied claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding his bowel and bladder disorders, as well as his hearing loss and tinnitus. The VA will also review his ratings for arthritis of the knees.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss disability or tinnitus, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are directly related to his military service, including exposure to noise during active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and review of the evidence.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable. The case is being remanded for further examination and review of his claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is not related to his service and denied the claim for service connection. The hearing loss was found to be at least as likely as not caused by noise exposure in service, but no current effective date or rating assigned.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder did not cause or materially contribute to his death by cardiopulmonary arrest.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, with no evidence of pre-service or post-service noise exposure. The Veteran's current hearing loss is considered within normal limits for rating purposes, but he was found to have constant tinnitus since service.