Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2011

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus did not have their onset in service or within one year of discharge, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The VA examiner determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, including exposure to acoustic trauma. As a result, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus due to new and material evidence submitted since the last final denial. The Veteran currently suffers from a current disability (tinnitus) that is presumed to be related to his military noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an examination to determine his employability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to service-connected conditions. The lung disorder is not shown to be directly related to service or service-connected conditions, but may be due to obesity and sleep apnea.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and an evaluation of 30 percent for chronic anal fissure, but denied the TDIU claim. The Veteran's exposure to acoustic trauma in service is presumed.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities, as well as whether service connection should be granted for these conditions. The Veteran's claims are being remanded for this purpose.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The evidence now establishes a link between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service, including noise exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown to have been incurred or aggravated by his active duty service, nor are they otherwise related to such service.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate and additional action is required to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus.

The Board found no evidence of service connection for bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus, as the Veteran's service records did not show any complaints or findings of these conditions during or immediately after service. The VA examiner concluded that there was insufficient medical basis to link current hearing loss and tinnitus to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, with no rating assigned. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is reopened but not granted on the merits.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for tinnitus has been withdrawn. The Board is dismissing the claim as it pertains to this issue. Service connection remains pending for a chronic skin condition of the feet, chest, groin and ears (claimed as tinea corporis).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is as likely as not related to noise exposure during his military service, and therefore grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, right knee strain with degenerative joint disease, left knee patellofemoral syndrome with arthritis, and tinnitus, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The claims of service connection for bilateral defective hearing and chronic bilateral upper and lower idiopathic sensory polyneuropathy were withdrawn by the Veteran.

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

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development of records from VA facilities where the Veteran received treatment.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to new and material evidence. However, these claims are remanded for further development including obtaining a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to deficiencies in the examination report, and further development of his claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus is required.