Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2011

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus and granted it, finding that new evidence submitted since the last final denial raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. The Veteran reported experiencing inservice noise exposure from anti-aircraft guns, small arms fire, and military planes, which he believes caused his current tinnitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, but granted service connection for tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board found no current diagnoses of hypertension, right knee disorder, back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, or tinnitus. The Veteran's service treatment records and post-service medical records do not show any signs or symptoms of these conditions during or after his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hepatitis C, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus due to lack of evidence supporting a current disability or a link between his military service and these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, right wrist was withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision. The remaining issues have been addressed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities, and determining whether he meets the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there is no competent evidence showing a current disability related to service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions did not originate in or are otherwise related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus did not begin in service and is not related to his military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, effective January 1, 1999. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from participating in any regular substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current tinnitus is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's Meniere's disease with hearing loss and tinnitus did not develop during service or as a result of any service-connected disability, including PTSD. The claim was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to in-service acoustic trauma, resolving all doubt in his favor. As such, service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the claims for service connection have been dismissed.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and a VA examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus, requiring further examination and analysis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied as there was no earlier formal or informal claim for the conditions listed.,An effective date of January 16, 1951 is granted for service connection for headaches.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, and papillary carcinoma of the thyroid (claimed as due to Agent Orange exposure). The effective dates are set at October 24, 2007. Service connection is granted for tinnitus but not for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss or papillary carcinoma of the thyroid.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction and tinnitus are found to be related to service, while his bilateral hearing loss is not shown to be directly related to service. The Board grants the claims for erectile dysfunction and tinnitus but finds insufficient evidence to grant the claim for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral tinnitus and residuals of ruptured eardrums, finding that new evidence raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims. The Veteran's current symptoms are presumed related to military service.