Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining his service personnel records and a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and a 40 percent disability rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including degenerative joint disease. The claim to reopen the bilateral hearing loss was withdrawn by the appellant.

The Board has determined that additional VA opinions are needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's tinnitus and sleep apnea, as well as whether these conditions are related to service. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus and has determined that the Veteran's respiratory disorder, including asthma, skin cancer, and frostbite residuals are not related to his military service.

The Veteran does not have tinnitus that is the result of disease or injury incurred in or aggravated during active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is not due to noise exposure or any other event or incident of his period of active service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his active duty service, including exposure to noise during his time as a jet engine mechanic. The claims for service connection are therefore granted.

The Veteran's original claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were received more than one year after his separation from active service, so the effective date cannot be earlier than September 2, 2008.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there is no competent medical evidence of current disabilities related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to determine his eligibility for VA benefits due to a conditional discharge, which may result in a complete bar to VA benefits. The issues of service connection and higher ratings will be addressed after this determination.

The Board has decided that another opinion is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus, which are currently demonstrated conditions. The case is REMANDED for further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that it was incurred in active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling of VA examinations to determine the nature and severity of his hearing impairment and right knee disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete service treatment records, particularly those from January 1966 onwards. The Veteran's claims for tinnitus and bilateral inguinal hernias are on appeal, as well as reopening of claims for hearing loss and hypertension.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the issues of service connection for PTSD, hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, and a skin rash to the hands.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, residuals of mononucleosis, and psychiatric disorders.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of current disability related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus as a result of in-service noise exposure, finding that the evidence is in relative equipoise and thus favoring the Veteran's claim.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for additional development due to conflicting medical opinions and a need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear audiometric results and a need for additional examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are held in abeyance during this process.