Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his time in active duty. The VA examinations conducted have supported this conclusion.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by active service, including in-service noise exposure. The evidence did not show a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not sufficient by themselves to preclude him from obtaining or maintaining any form of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and industrial background.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected PTSD, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disability (bone destruction) as a residual of radiation therapy. The issue of tinnitus, to include as a residual of radiation therapy, remains pending.

The Veteran's tinnitus is etiologically related to service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

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 and no continuity of symptoms post-service. The VA examiner opined that the Veteran's hearing loss is more likely due to civilian noise exposure, presbycusis, and/or some other etiology.

The Board finds that the Veteran's tinnitus is secondary to his service-connected hearing loss and grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities as well as bilateral tinnitus and degenerative disc disease of the spine. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension were not incurred in or aggravated by his service. The weight of the competent and credible evidence is against finding that these conditions began during his military service or are related to his service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to insufficient evidence on which to make a reasoned determination. The case will be reviewed again after additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for an opinion from a qualified health care provider.

The Veteran's tinnitus and hearing loss are granted as service-connected, with the condition of tinnitus being attributed to exposure to loud noise during active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss pre-existed service and was not aggravated by military service. The right ear hearing loss and tinnitus were also denied as they did not meet the criteria for a current disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. This includes obtaining his entrance and separation examinations, as well as any relevant treatment records from Ireland Army Community Hospital.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his active military service, including exposure to noise from aircraft. As such, the criteria for service connection have been met.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment throughout the appeal period prior to June 2, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for tinnitus or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/chronic bronchitis/emphysema, and there was no indication of service connection based on exposure to herbicides.