Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's heart condition, diagnosed as ischemic heart disease, is presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to herbicide agents. The Board also found that the Veteran's hypertension and bilateral hearing loss disability are related to his service-connected heart condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The evidence does not support the presence of major or minor seizures, ulcers, tinnitus, headaches, left foot disorder, kidney disorder, colitis, or liver disorder that are related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of a chronic disability during service and the delay between any potential onset and service is too long to attribute these conditions to military noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were granted, but he is not entitled to a compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss. The effective date of the tinnitus grant remains October 15, 2007.

The Veteran has bilateral tinnitus that is as likely as not related to his active duty service. The Board finds it at least as likely as not that the Veteran's tinnitus was incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle disability, tinnitus, and headaches were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The psychiatric disorder (posttraumatic stress disorder) is related to service but the claim for service connection remains pending as it was not addressed in this decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus due to a lack of evidence showing a current disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right bundle branch block, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and noncompensably rated left fifth metacarpal finger fracture residuals and scar of the left palm, preclude gainful employment. The Board finds that a TDIU rating is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing at the earliest available opportunity.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to assess the combined impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability, and for consideration of any new evidence added since the last supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development to ensure an accurate and complete record on appellate review, including converting service department audiometric readings from ASA units to ISO units.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and entitlement to a TDIU, effective as of January 3, 1996. The claim for an earlier effective date for these grants is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for proper notification regarding new and material evidence, as well as obtaining personnel records from the National Personnel Records Center. The issue of whether the character of discharge constitutes a bar to VA benefits will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA audiology examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus was incurred during his active service and the Board finds that he has current evidence of such condition. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, including an incident during diving qualifications. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus and his military service, including acoustic trauma. The VA audiologist opined that the disabilities were not caused by or related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and chronic tinnitus are likely due to noise exposure during his military service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.