Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2010

The Board finds that the Veteran's tinnitus is attributable to acoustic trauma during active service and grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to noise exposure in service and granted service connection for this condition. However, there is no competent evidence linking his current tinnitus to service, and thus denied service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for tinnitus was withdrawn. His claim to reopen his bilateral hearing loss was reopened, but the claim remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and left ankle disability have all been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Veteran's service-connected and nonservice-connected disabilities prevent him from successfully achieving his chosen vocational goal of pursuing a master's degree in social work. The VR&E Division found that he did not maintain satisfactory conduct and cooperation in developing and implementing the program, and mitigating circumstances beyond his control are not demonstrated.

The Board has ordered the case back to the RO for additional development, including obtaining records from the Veteran's Army Reserve service and any SSA disability benefits records.

The Board has remanded the case for further action due to the Veteran's failure to report for a scheduled hearing.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted service connection as it was caused by noise exposure during his active duty. However, there is no evidence linking the tinnitus to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied, and his claim for an increased rating for PTSD and associated disorders was also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of chronic disability related to service or a showing of continuity of symptomatology after service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any hearing loss, tinnitus, and stomach disability. The issues include service connection for these conditions on a direct basis.

The Veteran's overpayment of VA nonservice-connected pension benefits was denied because the Veteran did not report his SSA Disability Compensation benefits, which were included in countable income. The Board found that the fault for creating the debt lies with the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for residuals of a crush injury of the distal phalanx, left long finger was granted. Service connection for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss were denied, but service connection for tinnitus was granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes and his tinnitus is less likely than not related to service. Therefore, both claims are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is as likely the result of his noise exposure in service or associated with his service-connected noise-induced bilateral hearing loss, and thus grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure. The case is now pending further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active duty service, and thus denied these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure. The claim for service connection for tinnitus remains pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's current tinnitus did not have its onset during service and is not related to noise exposure in service. As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral tinnitus was denied.