Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence of current tinnitus. The issue of an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a current disability. The Veteran's claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not begin during active service or within one year after discharge, and are not related to noise exposure during active service. Therefore, entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus will be denied.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which he claims are related to his military service. The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus is not related to his active service and denied service connection for this condition. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was also denied, with the VA examiner stating it is less likely as not related to military noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and a low back disability were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to military service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records from private providers.

The Veteran does not have hearing loss or tinnitus that is related to military service. His current conditions are not presumed due to exposure to Agent Orange, Camp Lejeune, Gulf War Syndrome, or other presumptive conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent disabling since October 29, 2009. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's perforated right ear drum and subsequent hearing loss are not considered to be related to service, including noise exposure. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee conditions, finding that the current 30 percent rating adequately reflects the severity of his disability.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The issues of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus and whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus. The claim for a lung condition is pending as it was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete service records and insufficient rationale in the previous examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus did not result from service and is not related to a service-connected disability, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service and grants the claim for service connection.

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

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is REMANDED for additional development.