Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2011

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, residuals of frostbite, an ocular disorder (vision loss), and abscesses on the buttocks. The evidence submitted did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination to address his claims of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for tinnitus and finds that it is at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's military service. The appeal is granted.

The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's currently diagnosed left ear hearing loss is related to his period of active service. As a result, the criteria for service connection for left ear hearing loss have been met.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea, severe allergic rhinitis, low back strain, chorioretinal scar of both eyes (previously characterized as healed central serous retinopathy of the left eye with xanthelasma), tinnitus, and sensorineural hearing loss, did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation before May 4, 2010.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including a VA examination and further review of the evidence.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, with a presumption of exposure to noise in service. The Veteran's tinnitus is not linked to service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The initial disability ratings for his thoracolumbosacral and cervical spine strains are pending.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's hearing problems, tinnitus, and skin disorder of the feet. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are as likely as not related to his military service. The decision is based on credible evidence of in-service noise exposure and the presence of current symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been previously denied in March 1953. The Board is remanding the case to provide proper notice, schedule a new VA examination, and readjudicate the claims.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are as likely as not attributable to military service, specifically exposure to loud noises during basic training with M-14 rifles and grenades.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities and completion of the necessary forms regarding his employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, granting the claims for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's tinnitus and degenerative changes of the lumbosacral spine. The claims will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to unclear medical opinions and need for clarification.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the threshold percentage requirement for TDIU, but his PTSD and other conditions prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, and service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus did not have its onset during service and is not related to his military noise exposure. The claim for secondary service connection was also denied.