Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2012

The Board found no evidence of current disabilities related to the Veteran's service, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, a right knee condition, or a right shoulder condition. The claims were denied as there was insufficient medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his active service, including exposure to significant in-service acoustic trauma during combat in Korea.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be as likely as not attributable to active duty service, and the appeal for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not warrant additional vocational rehabilitation benefits under the Employment Through Long Term Services program due to his already having suitable employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, including exposure to loud noise during his military career as an electronic technician and combat aircrewman. The evidence supports a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hearing loss or tinnitus that was incurred in or aggravated by service. The claims for service connection are denied.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a right ear hearing loss disability or tinnitus attributable to active military service. The left ear hearing loss was noted prior to service and did not undergo a chronic or permanent worsening during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss disability and tinnitus. Tinnitus is etiologically related to hazardous noise exposure sustained while in active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in service, as there was no evidence of a chronic condition during service or within one year after service. The VA examiner concluded that it was less likely than not that his current hearing loss and tinnitus were incurred during military service.

The Veteran's claim for additional compensation for a dependent student daughter was denied as he was not eligible for concurrent receipt of military retired pay and VA disability compensation until August 8, 2007. The benefits were withheld from March 1, 2007 through April 30, 2008 due to his concurrent receipt of military retired pay and VA compensation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active duty service, as there is no evidence of a current disability within one year post-service or any nexus between in-service noise exposure and these conditions. The Veteran's claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic ear infections, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his in-service treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, tinnitus, a left leg disorder, a back disorder (claimed as back arthritis), and a respiratory disorder. The decision concluded that there was no current diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with DSM-IV criteria and that the link between current symptoms and an in-service stressor could not be established.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss meets the regulatory criteria for a disability for VA compensation purposes and was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty. Tinnitus, however, did not have its onset during active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and PTSD are related to his active service, granting his claims for these conditions.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for MRSA due to lack of allegation of specific error. The Veteran's claims for right shoulder, right ankle, and lung disabilities are denied as there is no current diagnosis or symptoms.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine the nature, onset date, and severity of any current hearing loss and tinnitus disorders. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain the appellant's service treatment records, including any potential reserve service. The claims for sinus disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus will be reconsidered based on all evidence of record.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for tinnitus and determined that it was incurred during active duty due to noise exposure from weapons training exercises. The Veteran's claim for obstructive sleep apnea remains pending.