Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted. The claim to reopen his low back disability was denied, as new and material evidence had not been submitted. His claim for an increased rating for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there was no evidence of in-service acoustic trauma or a compensable degree of hearing loss within one year post-discharge. The VA examiner could not form an opinion without resorting to speculation.

The Board has granted service connection for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is presumed to have been incurred during active service due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. Right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to noise exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the claim for a VA audiological examination to address the functional effects due to service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's total disability evaluation based upon individual unemployability is being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, with continuity of symptoms from service to the present.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his active duty service, thus granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that further development is needed on the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for his back disorder. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his in-service noise exposure, and service connection for this condition is granted. The issue of an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 10% rating for tinnitus is denied as the criteria for liberalizing regulations were not met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with noise exposure being a contributing factor.

The Board found that the Veteran's currently existing bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not etiologically linked to his active duty service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for multiple conditions, including cellulitis, otitis media, tinnitus, nasopharyngeal cancer (claimed as throat cancer), diabetes mellitus, glaucoma (claimed as blindness), coronary artery disease, and degenerative joint disease of both knees. The preponderance of evidence is against the Veteran's claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, as there is no evidence of hearing loss during service and current tinnitus does not appear to be related to acoustic trauma from service.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as whether these conditions are related to service. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, granting the benefits sought.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right eardrum damage, which is now service-connected, was incurred during his active duty in Vietnam due to acoustic trauma from a mortar explosion. The tinnitus claim is also granted as it is related to the same in-service event.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are found to be related to his active service, with the Board granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, granting service connection for these conditions.