Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2011

The Board determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there is no clear and unmistakable evidence to show they existed prior to service. The VA examination did not find any noise exposure during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to in-service noise exposure, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal of an increased rating for Osgood-Schlatter's disease with patellofemoral syndrome, left knee, with arthritis was dismissed. The claim to reopen service connection for tinnitus is reopened.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no verified stressor and a current diagnosis of PTSD. The other issues were not addressed due to the lack of a diagnosed condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding his claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a headache disorder. The VA examiner will need to consider the Veteran's in-service noise exposure and any other relevant evidence.

The Board found no evidence to support a connection between the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus and his military service, including noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been shown to prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

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

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of an adequate examination, and the need for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasoning in the April 2011 VA examination report regarding the etiology of the Veteran's tinnitus. The examiner did not address the IOM study and the question of whether the Veteran had delayed-onset tinnitus in relation to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's constant ringing in her ears since the 1980s is related to military noise exposure. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was not addressed as it pertains to a different issue.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied the remaining claims, including those related to diabetes mellitus type II. The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is remanded due to conflicting statements regarding his military duties.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, and therefore denied these claims. The claim for insomnia is also denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for tinnitus and is considering it on a de novo basis. The evidence received since the September 2005 final denial shows that the Veteran experienced acoustic trauma during service, which may be related to his current tinnitus. However, the weight of the evidence does not support a finding that the tinnitus was caused by service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable, and the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are due to exposure to loud noise during military service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus was incurred during active service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his in-service noise exposure and finds it at least as likely as not caused by service. The bilateral hearing loss claim will be remanded for additional development.