Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2011

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus is not related to his service, including any period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA), and denied the claim.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bronchitis were not incurred in or aggravated during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left buttock injury, left sciatic nerve compression, and residuals of fractures of the pelvis and ribs, have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU rating based on these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hoarseness secondary to his cervical fusion of the lateral intervetebral disc C5-6 has been reopened and granted. The Veteran is also entitled to special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is being remanded due to the inadequacy of a previous VA examination and the need for a new one.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, with no hypertension found to be service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, including noise exposure. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease resulting in current disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The evidence submitted does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was reopened and granted effective December 26, 2002 due to the identification of post-service medical records indicating a diagnosis of tinnitus.

The Veteran does not have tinnitus that is related to his service. The Board finds the preponderance of evidence against the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and requests for supplemental opinions.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus is not related to noise exposure during active military service and denied his claim for service connection. The hearing loss issue remains pending due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus in July 2005. The Veteran's new evidence does not provide any new or material information to reopen the claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus was incurred during active service, and his bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure. The issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as these conditions are found to be at least as likely as not related to noise exposure during his military service.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and correctly decide the Veteran's claims, including records of treatment prior to 2000, morning reports from service, and VA clinical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service noise exposure and its relation to his current hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, and left hand disability. The case is therefore REMANDED for a VA examination by an ENT physician to address the nature and etiology of any current hearing loss and tinnitus, and another VA examination for the purpose of ascertaining the etiology of his complaints of tingling and cold intolerance in the left hand digits.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, including noise exposure.

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