Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the appellant currently suffers from bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as a result of noise exposure in active duty service, granting his claims for these conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or chronic ear infections, and the current conditions are not related to service.

The Board has reviewed the evidence submitted since the final November 2007 rating decision and finds that it is not new and material for the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. As such, these claims remain denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and left ear hearing loss disability due to insufficient evidence addressing the relationship between these conditions and his military service. A VA examination is required.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not render him unemployable, as his combined rating is 60 percent, which meets the percentage requirements for TDIU. The Board finds that his age is a greater factor in his unemployment than his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are all service-connected. The decision is based on direct evidence of a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by active service, and denied both claims.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 50 percent prior to June 13, 2008, for PTSD was denied as the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current disabilities (bilateral tinnitus, prostate cancer, and kidney disorder) and his military service. The claims for these conditions were denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot proceed with the merits of these claims as he is no longer alive.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension. The case is therefore being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, hepatitis C, and a psychiatric disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The VA will provide appropriate examinations to determine if these conditions are related to his service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus both manifested during service, warranting service connection.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for a combined 100 percent disability rating, which was granted on September 29, 2006. The appeal is currently in remand status due to unresolved issues regarding the July 1985 decision and clarification of his April 2008 notice of disagreement.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and right ear hearing loss due to a lack of current disability. The claim for tinnitus was also denied as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his active duty military service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's current tinnitus disability was caused by his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability, and the Board has granted service connection for tinnitus on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to exposure to loud noise in service, and the Board finds that these conditions did not begin during or as a result of his military service.

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