Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to her military service, with a point of equipoise in favor of service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are causally related to noise exposure during his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is sufficient evidence to support these claims. The Veteran was exposed to noise during his military service which may have contributed to his current conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against his claim for service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations, and additional evaluations are needed to determine if the Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, or left ankle disorder is related to his military service.

The Board has granted an increased rating to 10 percent for the Veteran's service-connected residuals of a fractured left fifth metatarsal, effective from August 6, 2010. The decision also addressed his claim for tinnitus but did not specify a disposition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining National Guard treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus. The claim will be reviewed after additional development.

The Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during service and the current tinnitus is more likely related to post-service noise exposure. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not of such severity as to render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence supports a diagnosis of PTSD and links it to an in-service stressor. The other claims (for hearing loss and tinnitus) are denied.

The Board has granted a 30 percent disability rating for Eustachian tube dysfunction, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are already service-connected with respective ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are incurred in active service, with continuity of symptomatology since separation.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected, as there is no evidence showing a connection between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claims due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as the need for VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, as there is no evidence of in-service hearing loss or tinnitus. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is not entitled to service connection for bilateral hearing loss or a back disorder, but finds that he currently has tinnitus and it is related to his military noise exposure. Service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board found that the Appellant did not have hearing loss or tinnitus during his period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) from February 1961 to August 1961, and thus could not establish service connection based on direct service connection. The Appellant's lay statements regarding current disabilities were deemed insufficient to meet the burden of proof.

The Board found no current evidence of fungal otitis externa, bilateral hearing loss, or tinnitus. The Veteran's service connection claims for these conditions were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU, including on an extra-schedular basis.