Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2010

The Board found that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not found to be service-connected. His PTSD was rated at 50 percent, but the Board did not grant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, with noise exposure during active duty being a significant factor.

The Veteran does not have service-connected hearing loss or tinnitus. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a link between the current disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, pes planus, and a skin condition (claimed as ringworm) were denied. The Board found no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

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 denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, knee disabilities, a low back disability, and eye injuries. The decision found that there was no evidence of current diagnoses or a nexus to service.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date (EED) for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disability, diagnosed as bilateral total knee replacements due to osteoarthritis, was found to be both caused or aggravated by his service-connected foot disability and related directly to incidents that occurred during active service. The appellant is now entitled to accrued benefits based on the pending claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are attributable to service, with current manifestations present. Service connection is granted for both conditions.

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

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss due to additional development of evidence being required.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus did not begin during active service or within one year of discharge from service, and are not related to any incident of service.

The Board has found that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are of service origin due to exposure during combat service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, with consideration given to both in-service noise exposure and post-service occupational exposures. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 50 percent disability rating effective January 31, 2006. The Veteran's PTSD is characterized by flattened affect, impairment of memory, disturbance of motivation and mood, and difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus in January 1994. New evidence received since that decision does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding no medical evidence linking the current condition to her military service.