Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be the result of noise exposure during his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus and reopened his petition to reopen the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, on the basis of new and material evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure leading to these conditions. The Board also noted inconsistencies in the Veteran's statements regarding when he first experienced these symptoms.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed due to his death. No jurisdiction remains for the Board to adjudicate these claims.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA audiology examination and additional information from SSA.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for a VA audiological examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence, and there is no presumption period applicable.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of evidence regarding his exposure to acoustic trauma in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to failure to appear at a scheduled VA examination. The case is now pending for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for tinnitus and has also denied his request for a compensable initial rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active military service, but granted service connection for tinnitus based on noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of perforated left eardrum and tinnitus have been granted. The claim for loss of equilibrium, claimed as secondary to residuals of perforated left eardrum, is pending.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining an addendum opinion from the November 2010 examiner to consider the conversion of the Veteran's separation audiogram to ISO-ANSI standards. The claims for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and a TDIU have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeals by the Veteran.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it is at least as likely as not related to his military service. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and sleep apnea were denied.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the issues of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss. As a result, the Board dismisses these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, as there is no evidence of hearing impairment in service or within one year post-service. The weight of medical opinions does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred during military service.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and allergic rhinitis, finding that the evidence did not support a link to military service.