Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2011

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to acoustic trauma sustained during his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to in-service noise exposure, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at John Muir Medical Center on November 5th and 6th, 2008 were denied as the treatment was not for an emergent disability.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have been incurred during active service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The claims for pulmonary disorder (including asthma and COPD) and skin disorder are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbosacral disability and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are so disabling as to prevent him from dressing himself and frequently adjusting his special orthopedic appliance without aid, meeting the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no legal entitlement to such earlier effective dates.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete service records and other issues.

The Veteran's tinnitus is associated with his exposure to loud noise in service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus as there is no evidence of current disabilities, and the medical opinions do not support a link to service.

The Veteran's GERD is presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to herbicides. However, the current disorder was not linked to his military service and there is no evidence of a link between other claimed conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected, but has granted a finding of service connection for tinnitus due to exposure during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes, hypertension, heart disorder, tinnitus, insomnia, sleep apnea, depression, and GERD were not incurred or aggravated by his active military service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, the residuals of hepatitis C, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus in an October 15, 2008 decision. The appellant's motion alleging clear and unmistakable error (CUE) was denied.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's pre-existing conditions were not aggravated by military service, and there was no evidence of in-service onset or aggravation.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, with a grant of service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to military service, including exposure to noise during combat in Vietnam.

The Veteran's tinnitus is the result of military noise exposure and service connection for this condition has been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus, which are claimed as a result of exposure to acoustic trauma during service.