Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2012

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred in service and denied his claim.

The Veteran was granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, bladder cancer, and a neck disorder. The appeals were all resolved in the Veteran's favor.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease. The claims have been denied.

The Veteran's timely notice of disagreement in September 2007 initiated an appeal regarding the denial of his claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Board finds that this NOD was valid, thus granting the appeal.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his service, specifically exposure to loud noise from aircraft mechanics work.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disability is related to his period of active duty. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, as determined by the VA examination. The case is REMANDED for further evaluation and consideration.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional records and an attempt to obtain intake documents from a previous VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his military service, including exposure to acoustic trauma during active duty. As a result, the claims for service connection for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity so as to preclude substantially gainful employment, and the Board grants a TDIU rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to clarify the Veteran's noise exposure during his National Guard service and to obtain a VA audiological examination.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic condition during service or an applicable presumptive period for tinnitus. The Veteran's current bilateral tinnitus was not related to active service, and the VA examiner opined that it was more likely due to post-service exposure to loud noise.

The Board has remanded the claims due to inadequate medical opinions and new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, with the hearing loss meeting the threshold severity under VA regulations. The Board found that his current conditions are not related to in-service acoustic trauma or any other injury during service.

The Board has determined that further examination and opinion are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, inguinal hernia and its residuals, and residual scarring due to inguinal hernia repair.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus and a right knee disorder due to new evidence presented by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear at a scheduled Travel Board hearing. He has requested a videoconference hearing instead.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional records, as well as referral to the Director of Compensation and Pension for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure.