Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2011

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus did not begin in service and is not related to his active duty. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus is incurred in service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions were not incurred in or related to his active military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and a disability of the thoracolumbar spine. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss was incurred in active service. His left ear hearing loss did not manifest until after service or be related to service. Tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The preponderance of evidence shows that the Veteran's current thoracolumbar spine disability did not manifest until many years after active service and is not related to complaints of back pain in service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and degenerative arthritis of the right elbow were denied as his conditions do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to noise exposure in service and granted service connection for this condition. The issue of a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as the current examination report does not adequately address these issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected as they are considered to be due to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn due to the Veteran's request during his January 2011 Board hearing.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that his preexisting conditions did not worsen during service or were otherwise related to military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for colon cancer, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus had their onset during active service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service, but his hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a disability under VA compensation standards.

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no new and material evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete service records and the need for further examination regarding his hearing loss, tinnitus, and potential service connection claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest during service or for many years thereafter, nor are they otherwise related to such service. Therefore, service connection was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for a metal detector as part of his vocational rehabilitation program due to the lack of necessity and vital importance in achieving independent living goals.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to incomplete service treatment records and an inadequate VA examination for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and recurrent tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by active service, and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.