Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2011

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension. The decision is based on a finding that these conditions are not related to active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's hearing acuity did not meet the threshold requirements for a disability due to impaired hearing for VA purposes.

The Board found no evidence of a current psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, incurred in or aggravated by service. The Veteran's claims for coronary artery disease and erectile dysfunction as secondary to coronary artery disease were also denied.

The Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus have been evaluated based on the applicable rating criteria, with no higher evaluations being warranted. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation for his bilateral sensorineural hearing loss or for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depression, renal insufficiency with hypertension, incisional hernia, diabetes mellitus with retinopathy and impotence, right knee disability, left knee disability, neurodermatitis, tinnitus, limitation of motion of the right knee, hearing loss, and other conditions have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military noise exposure. The December 2008 VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are less likely than not caused by or a result of noise trauma in the army.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not found to be related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted, effective from March 21, 1994. The Board found that the earliest date of entitlement to these conditions was February 3, 1983, for bilateral hearing loss and January 5, 1994, for tinnitus.

The Veteran's esophageal cancer, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were incurred during his active military service due to noise exposure. The claim is granted.

The Veteran is granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied service connection for a bilateral knee disorder.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is granted, and his tinnitus is found to be service-connected.

The Board has determined that a new medical examination is necessary to address the Veteran's in-service hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his statements regarding these conditions. The AMC/RO will also obtain any outstanding medical records related to the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus is not related to active military service and denied his claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus did not develop due to service, as there was no evidence of noise exposure or other causation. The psychiatric disability (to include PTSD) is denied as well.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be related to her military service, and she is now granted service connection for this condition. The other issues remain unresolved.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need to obtain additional medical records from Dr. Nissen and Dr. T.F.

The Veteran does not have a disability manifested by tinnitus due to disease or injury that was incurred in or aggravated by active service.