Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2011

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and peripheral neuropathy are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of chronic symptoms in service or a nexus between current conditions and service. The Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and thus does not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection under herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, including noise exposure as a coxswain. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus. The appellant's current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are supported by medical evidence, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board granted the appellant's claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied his claims for residuals of a rectal fistula and hypertension. The initial rating claim for right ear hearing loss was addressed as part of the grant of service connection for left ear hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and boils on the back and buttocks, finding that these conditions are due to disease or injury incurred in service. Service connection for basal cell carcinoma is denied as it is not shown to be related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bicuspid aortic valve disorder, tinnitus, and right knee disability. Bilateral hearing loss was not found to meet VA criteria for a disability rating.

The Board has recharacterized the issue and granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran likely incurred noise exposure during his service which is sufficient to establish a link between current tinnitus and his military service.

The Board denied the reopening of a claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, as new and material evidence had not been received. The Veteran's right ear tinnitus was also raised but is being referred to the RO for proper adjudication.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are being remanded due to inadequate VA opinion. Further development is needed, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and affording the Veteran a VA audiology examination.

The Veteran's monthly VA disability compensation benefits are too small to allow for a reasonable apportionment, resulting in financial hardship for both the appellant and the Veteran. The Board denied the claim for apportionment of the Veteran's VA benefits on behalf of his minor child.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further examination regarding his claimed disabilities. The claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is etiologically related to service, resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.,The claim for a stomach condition was reopened due to new and material evidence submitted since November 1981.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, coronary artery disease, low back strain, diabetes mellitus, cervical strain, and multiple knee conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has determined that a TDIU rating is warranted based on the combined effect of these disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, including exposure to loud noises during basic training. As such, both conditions have been granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, with the preponderance of evidence supporting this determination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus had onset in service or were caused by his active military service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus due to presumed exposure to herbicides during service in Vietnam. The Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any hearing loss, tinnitus, and spine disability. The claims are being remanded for these examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disorders are at least as likely as not related to his military service, including exposure to loud noise during his time in an artillery unit.