Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2011

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus did not begin during service and was not caused by military noise exposure, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, anxiety and/or depression), and tinnitus. The Veteran's current conditions are found to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral knee disability were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of such within one year after discharge from service. The claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus are presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to Agent Orange. The Board found the evidence equally balanced as to whether the Veteran's PTSD is related to his fear of hostile military activity during service.

The Board has found service connection granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his in-service exposure to acoustic trauma during combat.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted. For bilateral hearing loss, the evidence does not meet the criteria for a disability as defined by VA regulations. However, for tinnitus, the Board finds sufficient credible evidence to support a finding of in-service noise exposure leading to current symptoms.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected as it is related to his in-service exposure to loud noises.,There are no disabling residuals of the left wrist contusion reported in service or post-service.

The Board found it is just as likely as not that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, rather than any other causes. As a result, the claim for service connection was granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability is service-connected as it was incurred during a period of INACDUTRA. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied due to lack of evidence showing onset or continuity of symptoms within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted, as the evidence shows these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus. The heart disorder claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset and etiology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his in-service exposure to loud aircraft engine noise, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a skin disability, and migraine headaches. The evidence did not meet the criteria for service connection as there was no current diagnosis of these conditions meeting VA standards.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus. However, further development is required before the Board can decide these reopened claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is found to be related to his in-service noise exposure as a helicopter pilot, while his tinnitus is considered at least as likely as not caused by this same noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus and finds that the Veteran's current tinnitus is causally related to his time in service. The issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spinal strain, and an increased rating for painful exostosis of the left anterior chest are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is etiologically related to his active service, and therefore grants service connection for tinnitus.