Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected as they did not manifest within one year of separation from service or are otherwise related to his military service.,Meniere's disease was also not found to be service-connected, as there is no evidence linking it to his time in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea and TDIU due to his failure to report for a VA audio examination, finding that he did not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes and therefore, service connection is denied. The claim for tinnitus was also denied as there is no evidence relating the current condition to military noise exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities were not incurred in or related to his active service. The VA examination did not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active service and granted service connection for this condition. The issue of service connection for headaches, which may be due to chemical sensitivity, remains pending as it was not addressed in the decision.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his periods of service, but a new VA examination is needed to determine if they are secondary to his service-connected right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's tinnitus and PTSD were found to be related to his service, with the Board finding that there was at least an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding whether his current tinnitus is the result of acoustic trauma in service. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of malaria was not addressed due to pending issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudication due to insufficient information regarding service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder for accrued benefits, as well as additional development needed for the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board found that the appellant's character of discharge was under dishonorable conditions due to willful and persistent misconduct, which bars him from VA benefits. The appeal is denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the disabilities did not manifest during active duty service or are related to such service. The claims were reopened based on new evidence but still denied.

The Veteran's dementia has resulted in total occupational and social impairment, and he is entitled to a separate disability rating of 10 percent for tinnitus. The criteria for a compensable rating for residuals of head injury manifested by headaches, vertigo, dizziness, and intermittent numbness of the face and extremities have not been met.

Service connection for a left ankle disability and tinnitus has been granted, with the left ankle sprain being service-connected based on direct evidence. Service connection for tinnitus was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of chronic symptoms during service and competent medical evidence fails to identify a nexus between any current disabilities and service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 80 percent, but she is not found to be unemployable due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and extension of a temporary total rating for right shoulder surgery necessitating convalescence. The decision found that while the Veteran had credible assertions regarding in-service noise exposure, there was no evidence of severe postoperative residuals as required under 38 C.F.R. § 4.30.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, as he experienced it in service and continues to experience it since then. The hearing loss claim will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran experienced tinnitus in service and has reported a continuity of symptoms since then. The Board finds that the evidence supports granting service connection for tinnitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence to support a current disability or a link between service and these conditions.