Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2011

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, residuals of frostbite of both ears, and COPD with sleep apnea. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the claims due to new evidence received since the last supplemental statement of the case, and further development is required before a final decision can be made.

The Board found no evidence to support a connection between the Veteran's tinnitus and his active service, including noise exposure. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for a skin disorder (mucous patch), left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents. The remaining claims are pending.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have service connection for hearing loss or tinnitus due to a lack of evidence showing such conditions were incurred in service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus as secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss, but denied a higher initial disability rating for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that additional VCAA notice is required as the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death does not involve a previously service-connected condition, and thus requires specific notification tailored to dependency and indemnity compensation cases.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied service connection for tinnitus, but the rating assigned is 100% as of the date of decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his period of active service, with the hearing loss being secondary to noise exposure during service. The decision grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of tinnitus, and therefore, service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to noise exposure during his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The hearing loss claim remains pending.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. His initial ratings for bilateral pes planus and associated arthritic changes of the feet are denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be incurred in service, with reasonable doubt resolved in his favor.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and ensuring all relevant evidence is considered.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining employment records and medical records from Dr. Turner, to determine if there is a relationship between the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities and his military service.

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

The Veteran's PTSD, anxiety, and depression are found to be service-connected. Fatigue is secondary to his service-connected chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Tinnitus was not shown to be related to service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for hearing loss and granted service connection based on new evidence received since the 1987 denial. The other claims remain denied.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for the issue of entitlement to service connection for headaches, including as secondary to service-connected tinnitus. The Board dismissed the appeal due to this withdrawal.