Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions and records.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension were not incurred or aggravated by active service. The left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and left heel disorder did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinion regarding the relationship between tinnitus and service connection. A VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran currently suffers from tinnitus, its onset, and whether it is related to his military service.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected PTSD and tinnitus.

The Board found no current diagnosis of asbestosis or any other lung disorder, and thus denied service connection for a lung disorder including asbestosis. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and residuals of a cyst behind the left ear are remanded due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service connected, and his lumbosacral strain rating remains at 20 percent.

The Board found no evidence of in-service hearing loss or tinnitus and thus denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus and finds that new evidence submitted by the Veteran raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claim. The evidence shows that the Veteran reported experiencing constant tinnitus since 1969, which he attributes to military noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining updated VA medical records, SSA records related to SSI benefits, and a VA examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is as likely the result of his noise exposure in service or associated with his service-connected noise-induced bilateral hearing loss, and thus grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Board determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of such conditions during service or within one year after separation. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the Veteran's failure to report for a VA examination and his lack of communication with the RO/AMC.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of shrapnel wounds to the right arm and right leg, hearing loss, and tinnitus as these conditions are considered direct service connections due to in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's testimony regarding continuity of symptoms since service is given significant weight.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to active service, while diabetes mellitus and hypertension were not initially manifested within one year of his release from active duty.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the need for a VA audiologic examination to determine if the Veteran's preexisting right ear hearing loss was aggravated by service and whether left ear hearing loss and/or tinnitus are directly related to service. The issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus remain on appeal.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, including obtaining a VA examination.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an audiological examination for the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for multiple myeloma has been withdrawn. The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and left ear hearing loss, which constitutes a complete grant of the benefits sought on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and an increased rating for PTSD have been dismissed due to withdrawal. The claim for a back disorder has been reopened, but the evidence does not support service connection. Bilateral hearing loss is denied, while tinnitus is granted.