Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of your claims for service connection. This includes obtaining any outstanding VA treatment records and copies of your complete service treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, or Meniere's disease as these conditions did not manifest during service or within a year thereafter and are not otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) have been granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of in-service noise exposure and credible statements regarding such exposure, which are sufficient to establish service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in service, as there was no evidence of such conditions during or immediately after his military service. The VA examiner opined that it is less likely than not that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military noise exposure.

The Board finds that the Veteran's tinnitus began in service and has persisted, granting service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for obtaining in-service and VA medical records, as well as a new VA examination. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered based on the newly obtained evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his inability to attend a personal hearing. The issues of service connection for various conditions and TDIU remain unresolved.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, skin cancer, and coronary artery disease. The decision found that the Veteran did not have these conditions attributable to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a nexus to service.

The Veteran's service records do not show any chronic headaches or tinnitus as a result of head trauma during his military service. The Board has determined that the current conditions are not related to his service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and left varicocele. The earliest possible effective date is March 12, 2007.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's original claim for service connection included a claim for tinnitus, which was received within one year of his discharge from service. Therefore, the effective date for the grant of service connection for tinnitus is set at January 16, 1979.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including access to employment verification and VA examinations to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Board finds that the Veteran's tinnitus is at least as likely as not a disorder due to acoustic trauma as a helicopter pilot in service. Service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus as it was not shown to be incurred in or aggravated by active service. The Veteran withdrew his appeal seeking nonservice-connected pension.

The appeal is being remanded due to missing VA outpatient records and the need for additional examinations to determine the nature, extent, onset, and etiology of any hearing loss, tinnitus, headaches, back, right knee, left knee, right ankle, left ankle, right foot or left foot disability found to be present.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, with all doubts resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus as there was no current disability meeting the VA criteria for a hearing loss disability, and insufficient competent medical evidence to support a nexus between in-service noise exposure and either condition.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is attributable to in-service noise exposure. Service connection for left ankle disability was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus for purposes of accrued benefits based on the Veteran's active duty service.