Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2010

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of in-service onset or continuity of symptomatology. The VA examiner concluded that the current hearing loss and tinnitus were not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities of bilateral hearing loss, chronic tinnitus, tonsillitis or a disorder characterized by right heel pain. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for PTSD service connection and for a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant, finding that his disabilities did not meet the criteria for these benefits.

The Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus is granted as the evidence supports a finding that his tinnitus was incurred in service.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not shown to be related to his service. Service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination to assess his ability to obtain substantially gainful employment given his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as increased ratings for various disabilities including diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the extremities, and TDIU were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a nexus between current hearing loss or tinnitus and military service.

The Veteran's initial rating for diabetes mellitus type II is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The TDIU claim is also denied due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities not preventing him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, and tinnitus. The decision found no evidence of herbicide exposure or in-service noise exposure that could support a finding of service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are service-connected, with both conditions having onset in service.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinion is necessary to clarify whether the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to noise exposure in service. The case is REMANDED for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus had onset in service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from obtaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to an incomplete record, specifically missing VA treatment records prior to January 2001 and subsequent to October 27, 2009. The appellant's claims for service connection will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are etiologically related to exposure to acoustic trauma during active service, and therefore grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA audiologist examination. The issues of service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are inextricably intertwined with the adjudication of his tinnitus claim.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection, and his mild degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder received a compensable rating. The issue of bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus due to new and material evidence submitted since the last final denial. The Board also granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to military noise exposure.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for tinnitus and is now considering whether new evidence supports a finding that the Veteran's current condition was incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo or dizziness, and headaches are not service-connected as they were not incurred during active duty or due to a disease or injury of service origin. The VA examiner found that the current conditions do not have a direct link to his military service.