Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a skin disorder, left and right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and low back disorder. The denial is based on insufficient evidence linking these conditions to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there was no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus during service. The VA examiner opined that the current conditions are more likely due to noise exposure in civilian employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to his military service, specifically noise exposure. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, multiple sclerosis, and residuals of cold injury to the feet. The case will be remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, with the latter being seen in service. The Veteran has consistently reported having had these conditions since service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure. The issue of service connection for right ear hearing loss remains pending and will be addressed on remand.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disability rating from January 1, 2007 is 60 percent. The medical evidence does not demonstrate that his service-connected epilepsy, left shoulder rotator cuff tear, L5-S1 degenerative disc disease, and tinnitus alone render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran does not have a low back disability that is the result of disease or injury incurred in or aggravated during active military service. The Board finds that he does not have bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as a result of his active military service.

The Veteran's migraine headaches, left wrist neuropathy, and right wrist neuropathy have been granted initial noncompensable ratings. The claim for tinnitus has also been granted.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain clarifying medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of any hearing loss and tinnitus present in the Veteran.

The Board found that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to exposure to acoustic trauma in service, and granted service connection for this condition. The other issues of bilateral hearing loss and nasal disorder are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of service connection for tinnitus, hearing loss, residuals of typhoid fever, liver disease, sepsis, right kidney removal, and hypertension. The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be as likely as not attributable to his active military service.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, as well as residuals of lumbosacral strain. The Veteran's claim was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for PTSD were denied. The claim to reopen a previously denied claim of residuals of right ear trauma was also denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, fibromyalgia, gastrointestinal disorder, left upper extremity disorder to include as secondary to Agent Orange exposure, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder are not supported by the evidence. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure and denied service connection for COPD as not related to service, including chemical or asbestos exposure.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition did not begin during or as a result of his military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus and left ear hearing loss are granted service connection. The right ankle disability, Haglund's deformity of the left foot, and bilateral knee disabilities are not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to February 1, 2010.