Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2011

The Board found that service-connected PTSD and residuals of a shell fragment wound to the right thigh did not cause or contribute substantially to the Veteran's death from cardiovascular disabilities. The expert opinion concluded there was less than a 50% chance that these conditions caused or aggravated his fatal cardiac conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of such conditions during service. The VA examination did not find a link between current symptoms and military noise exposure.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability for tinnitus and denied service connection for hearing loss. The Veteran's hearing did not meet the criteria for a hearing loss for VA purposes at separation, but there was a minimal increase in his hearing loss during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA audiology records and a pulmonary examination to determine if his asthma was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are as likely as not attributable to military service, including exposure to loud noises during training with rifles.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted it. Service connection is also established for tinnitus, with a rating of 10 percent effective from January 2008. The claims for increased ratings for chronic rhinitis and chronic epididymitis remain denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, including a lack of audiometric testing. The Veteran was exposed to acoustic trauma during service aboard ship.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss and granted the claims of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus. The appellant currently suffers from hearing loss that is the result of a disease or injury incurred in active duty service, and he also currently suffers from tinnitus, which is secondary to his hearing loss.

The Veteran's tinnitus, depression and anxiety disorder, cervical spine strain, and thoracic spine strain are all found to be related to service.,An initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for chondromalacia of the left knee is denied.

The Veteran's left knee disability, bilateral pes planus, and tinnitus are all found to be service-connected. The Veteran's gastritis is also found to be service-connected. However, the Veteran's bump on the inside of the rectum and lump on the testicles do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus did not have its clinical onset during service and is not otherwise related to her service. The evidence does not support a finding of continuity of symptomatology since service.

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

The Board has remanded the claims for further development, including obtaining Army Reserve records and providing an addendum to the VA audiological opinion.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are likely due to noise exposure during service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claim for tinnitus was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in his requiring assistance with a number of his activities of daily living (ADLs) and require care or assistance on a regular basis to protect himself from hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment, warranting SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a Travel Board hearing at the RO.

The Board denied reopening the Veteran's claims for left eyelid ptosis, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss due to lack of new and material evidence. The service connection was not established as the conditions were either noted at induction or unrelated to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted. The evidence shows that the Veteran was exposed to noise during his active duty service, leading to current diagnosed disabilities.,Service connection has been established for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus based on direct service connection due to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a bilateral knee disability has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a left hip disability and GERD has been granted with an initial rating of 10 percent.,The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a skin disability has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a left ankle disability has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection has been granted with an initial rating of 40 percent.