Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2011

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to address the issue of a TDIU rating and issuing a Supplemental Statement of the Case on the claim for a higher (compensable) rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be the result of in-service noise exposure, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service, specifically exposure to acoustic trauma. As a result, the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus disability that is related to service, including noise exposure. The Veteran's service treatment records are silent for complaints or diagnoses of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to service for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The preponderance of evidence is against finding that these conditions had their onset or were otherwise related to service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus in September 2005, finding no evidence of a link to service. The Veteran's new claims were again denied as not containing new and material evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinea pedis, low back disability, facial skin disability, neck disability, and tinnitus. The decisions were based on a lack of evidence showing continuity of symptomatology or direct link to service.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective July 11, 2007, based on his service-connected disabilities. The Board found that it was factually ascertainable as of this date that he could not obtain and/or maintain substantially gainful employment due to these conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for tinnitus. By extending the benefit of doubt, the Veteran's current tinnitus is found to be due to exposure to acoustic trauma during active service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service due to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and depression.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for PTSD, right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, gastrointestinal condition secondary to PTSD, back disability, skin condition on chest, back and arms, migraine headaches, and eye condition due to unresolved procedural issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, which was incurred due to inservice acoustic trauma. As a result, the claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to issue a statement of the case addressing the issues of increased ratings for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran must be provided an opportunity to respond before the claims are returned to the Board.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The current diagnoses were not shown to be directly related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and pes planus have been granted. However, the claim for service connection for residuals of a fracture to the coccyx remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not have onset in service or due to military noise exposure, and therefore denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing proper notice regarding secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The preponderance of the evidence shows that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated during active duty, and there is no nexus between current diagnoses and service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the appellant was exposed to loud noises during his active duty and currently suffers from this condition. The disability is considered a direct result of service.