Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) in the military, resulting in service connection being granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new evidence supports a relationship between these conditions and his noise exposure during active duty. The Board then granted service connection based on direct service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's testimony, VA outpatient treatment reports, a private physician's letter, and a VA examination all support his claim that he experienced these conditions during active service due to noise exposure. As such, the Board finds that the Veteran's claims are granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, with doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board granted the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for residuals of a fractured left scapula and a left ankle sprain, but denied his appeals for increased ratings for Bell's palsy, tinnitus, hearing loss, and lumbar spine disability. The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding Bell's palsy and tinnitus in April 2011.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need for complete VA medical records, including audiometry findings from April 2008 to present.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and left knee patellofemoral disease, finding that the Veteran's conditions first manifested during his active duty service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Board finds that there is sufficient evidence to establish a link between the current disabilities and service, including in-service noise exposure from working on jet engines. Therefore, service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and recurrent tinnitus is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board found the evidence in equipoise regarding the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, but did not find sufficient evidence to support a grant of service connection for hearing loss.,For tinnitus, the Veteran presented credible lay and medical evidence indicating exposure to acoustic trauma during service and continuity of symptomatology since service. For hearing loss, no such evidence was found.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA audiological examination and treatment records.

The Board found no evidence of current disabilities related to the Veteran's service, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claims for right and left knee disorders were also denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking any current diagnoses to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to exposure to acoustic trauma during his active duty service. The claims for tinnitus, low back disability, and bilateral knee disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of such conditions in service or within one year post-service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to his service. Therefore, service connection for both conditions is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied the remaining issues of bilateral hearing loss, right hip condition, and low back condition. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are not ready for appellate review and requires additional development.

The Veteran's skin disorder, chloracne, is service-connected. The hearing loss and tinnitus claims are pending further development.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder and finds that it is not related to service. The Veteran's left knee disability, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, and tinnitus are not related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied due to lack of a current diagnosis. His combined disability rating remains at 80%.

The Veteran has current diagnoses of left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, but the most probative evidence indicates these conditions are unrelated to his military service.