Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2011

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of a current disability related to active service. The Veteran's claim of service connection for epididymitis was denied in December 1956 due to the improvement of his condition without recurrence or residuals.,New evidence submitted since the December 1956 decision does not relate to the unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim, as it is not new and material.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with noise exposure during combat operations in the Pacific Theater. The claims for service connection are granted.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not shown to be related to service, as there was no evidence of a hearing loss disability under VA criteria or tinnitus during service. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against these claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as evidenced by normal hearing at separation from service and lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to noise exposure during service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service combat-related acoustic trauma.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for tinnitus, a psychiatric disorder, and a heart condition.

The Veteran is found to be in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, which includes the need for assistance with activities such as dressing, undressing, bathing, and attending to personal hygiene needs. The Veteran's service-connected conditions have resulted in significant limitations that necessitate this level of care.

The Veteran's appeal seeking a compensable disability rating for dermatitis was withdrawn. The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran had in-service noise exposure and continuous symptomatology since separation from service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to additional development being required.

The case is being remanded due to the need for additional development and adjudication of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records from Fort Drum and scheduling a VA audiological examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral shoulder condition, tinnitus, low back disability, and bilateral knee disability. The conditions are related to in-service noise exposure and injuries.

The Board has granted service connection for Meniere's disease, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are likely due to his in-service ear infections and are presumptively related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not caused by his military noise exposure. The claim for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.,The Veteran reported a head injury during service while setting up Claymore land mines, but he cannot recall specific details of this incident. His service treatment records show one instance of a headache in May 1974.

The Veteran's claimed conditions of headaches, bipolar disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated during active service. The Board found the Veteran's reported continuity of symptoms since service to be not credible.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated during active service, nor could they be presumed to have been incurred in service. The evidence did not show a relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU prior to July 10, 2009 were denied as there was no evidence of unemployability due solely to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by active service. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his service, and he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the remaining issues of left ear hearing loss, low back disability, hemorrhoids, and headaches.