Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus can be decided.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining a supplemental opinion regarding the relationship between his hearing loss and tinnitus with service exposure, as well as an eye examination to determine if any current left eye disability is related to service or radiation exposure.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was remanded due to inadequate opinions regarding all his service-connected disabilities. The case is now being remanded for another examination and opinion.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of a hearing loss disability during active duty. The VA examiner stated that the current hearing loss and tinnitus are less likely caused by noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left leg stab wound, including a scar, has been reopened and granted. The Board also found that the Veteran incurred bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus during his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are attributable to in-service acoustic trauma, resulting in a favorable decision for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for tinnitus has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss in the left ear and tinnitus were denied because there is no current evidence of a current condition. The Board found that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen these claims, but due to lack of competent medical evidence showing a current disability, the preponderance of the evidence remains against the claims.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any hearing loss and tinnitus present, including whether they are related to service. The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus will be resolved prior to addressing his claim for tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to have contributed substantially or materially to his death, leading to dementia and ultimately renal failure. The claim of entitlement to DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is dismissed as moot due to the grant of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, with the opinion being in favor of a direct relationship to his military noise exposure.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is found to be related to service, while his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not shown by competent evidence to be etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed tinnitus was incurred in military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The Veteran's appeal is currently on hold pending completion of all pending claims and a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence of current hearing loss or tinnitus, and thus service connection for these conditions cannot be established. The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity as secondary to diabetes mellitus and diabetic retinopathy remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded due to potential unverified periods of active duty service. Additional records, including National Guard treatment records, need to be obtained.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for withdrawal of the appeals related to tinnitus, hearing loss, and service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, including exposure to loud noises during military duties. As a result, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran experienced acoustic trauma in service but did not have chronic symptoms of tinnitus during or after service. The Board finds that the current disability is not related to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine prior to a decision being made by the Board. The remaining issues of service connection for left and right foot heel spurs, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.