Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2012

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 17, 2009 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus. The decision found that the earliest possible effective date was June 17, 2009, when the Veteran submitted his informal claim.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be caused by his service-connected hearing loss.,Obstructive sleep apnea was not shown to be related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his in-service noise exposure, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran's current tinnitus and left ear hearing loss are related to service, specifically noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as he withdrew his claim for an increased rating for tinnitus prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's skin conditions of the hands and feet, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss were all found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and Vet Center treatment records, scheduling a VA psychiatric examination, and attempting to obtain private medical records. The claim will be readjudicated after these actions.

The case is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations, including a tinnitus examination and a PTSD examination. The Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus will also be reviewed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a supplemental opinion from the September 2008 VA examiner. The case will be reviewed by the AMC/RO to determine if service connection for tinnitus can be granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus began in service and has persisted, granting his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a chronic disease within one year post-service, and the VA examiner determined that these conditions are less likely related to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are causally related to exposure to acoustic trauma during service, warranting service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's testimony regarding his hearing loss and tinnitus worsening, requiring a new VA examination for both conditions.

The Veteran's current tinnitus is as likely as not related to active duty service, and the Board finds that the evidence of record supports a grant of service connection for tinnitus.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and chronic tinnitus are not related to his active military service, as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his period of service.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied. The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is also denied, as the maximum schedular benefit available (a 10 percent rating) has been assigned.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service treatment and personnel records, to determine the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss disability and tinnitus.

The Board previously denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of causal attribution between the disabilities claimed and an incident of military service. The Veteran's claims are now remanded for a new VA Compensation and Pension examination to address his reported history of in-service noise exposure and post-service symptomatology.