Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2012

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus preexisted service and was not aggravated by service, but the Court vacated these findings. The Board then considered the claim as one for service connection for disability incurred in service, finding current evidence sufficient to rebut the presumption of soundness. As such, the appeal is granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to in-service acoustic trauma.

The VA determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is not related to his military service and denied his claim.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether the appellant's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, specifically noise exposure during National Guard duty. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence showing a relationship between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, including noise exposure. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depression, and a sleep disorder, is currently rated at 50 percent. The appeal for an increased rating has been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is not service connected. The claim for higher initial evaluation of bilateral hearing loss remains pending and will be addressed in a separate remand.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The issues include service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining clarification from the VA examiner regarding the middle ear condition noted during his August 2012 examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of a nexus between his in-service noise exposure and his current conditions.

The Veteran was granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied service connection for hearing loss and an increased evaluation for his left knee condition.,VA has remanded the case to provide another examination for the left knee issue.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his period of service, and he has been granted service connection for this condition. The claim for emphysema due to asbestos exposure remains pending as the VA examination did not provide a definitive opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal as to the issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss was withdrawn prior to a decision. The Board finds that tinnitus has been present since, and cannot be reasonably disassociated from, his active duty service.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are related to his military service, with no presumption applied. The claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus) are found to be sufficient by themselves to render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

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