Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2011

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of such in-service exposure or manifestations. The claims were denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his employment history and other nonservice-connected conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in service, but granted service connection for both conditions based on direct evidence. The decision did not address any presumption of service connection.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's service records, as well as his post-service occupational noise exposure, will be considered in this process.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there is no evidence of current disability or a link to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus did not have its onset during service or within one year of separation, and was not related to his military noise exposure. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is pending as part of a separate remand.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and found that the Veteran's hearing loss was aggravated by military service. The issue of an initial compensable disability evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded to allow for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues on appeal include an initial evaluation for anxiety disorder, service connection for tinnitus, hypertension, headaches, and gout.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are attributable to in-service acoustic trauma, and service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence.

The Veteran's appeal involving the claims of entitlement to increased ratings for right knee disabilities and tinnitus has been dismissed due to his withdrawal request.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of his right ear hearing loss disability has been withdrawn. The Board dismissed the appeal as it was not appropriate to review a claim that had been withdrawn.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to service, including noise exposure during military service. Therefore, the claims for service connection for these conditions have been granted.

The Board has determined that the grants of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were based on clear and unmistakable error, and thus severed. The Veteran's appeal to restore this service connection is denied.

The VA determined that the appellant's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The decision is based on the existing evidence and applicable rating criteria.

The Board granted service connection for a sleep disorder, muscle discomfort as secondary to PTSD and headaches, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, irritable bowel syndrome, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. The Veteran's right ankle disability was rated at 20 percent, with an additional 10 percent rating for the scar resulting from surgery in September 2008.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are directly related to the Veteran's exposure to hazardous noise during his active military service.