Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2011

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's reported in-service noise exposure is related to his current condition. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that preexisting left ear hearing loss was not aggravated by service and right ear hearing loss did not manifest in service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted, with the Board finding that his current symptoms are related to in-service acoustic trauma.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is related to noise exposure during service, and his left ear hearing loss disability was shown on entry into service. The claim for tinnitus is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete medical opinions and further development is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's lay statements and medical evidence show continuous symptoms since service. Service connection was also granted for left ear hearing loss due to noise exposure in service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus is already receiving the maximum disability evaluation allowed by the applicable schedular criteria. The claim for a compensable disability evaluation for bilateral hearing loss prior to December 7, 2006, and in excess of 10 percent since that date remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and allergies have been denied. The claim for hypertension has not yet been adjudicated.,Further examination or evidence may be necessary to address the hypertension claim.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral tinnitus is granted as the evidence shows a current disability that began during service and has persisted since then.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or continuity of symptomatology since separation from service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hyperplasia of the prostate, sleep apnea, hypertension, and kidney and bladder condition were all denied as there is no competent evidence showing these conditions are related to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The case is being remanded to the RO for further development regarding the hearing loss claim.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for tinnitus, which is considered a direct result of noise exposure during military service.

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

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be service-connected, and his bilateral hearing loss disability remains noncompensably disabling.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to noise exposure during active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and has granted service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The decision also addressed a claim for erectile dysfunction but did not specify its disposition.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not have a direct relationship to his military service, as they first manifested many years after service. The VA expert opinion concluded that these conditions were more likely due to other factors such as hereditary causes or environmental noise exposure over time.