Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is competent and credible in his report of ringing in his ears during service, which he believes to be related to tinnitus. Service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during or immediately after service. The VA examiner concluded that the post-service development of these conditions was more likely due to Meniere's disease.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's conditions are at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including TBI and PTSD, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. His TDIU rating is granted.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current disabilities for which service connection can be granted, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claims were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied service connection for a back condition and depression.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure. However, there is no current diagnosis of a back condition or depression.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's tinnitus and his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral pes planus are service-connected. The right and left ankle disorders have been reopened, but further development is needed to determine their connection to service.

The Board found no evidence of a bilateral hearing loss disability or tinnitus that were incurred in service, and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the reopening of claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus. As a result, the cases are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need to obtain an outstanding medical opinion and for further development of the claims.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and tinnitus secondary to Lyme Disease was denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and non-VA treatment records related to his hearing loss and tinnitus. The RO will also schedule the Veteran for a VA audiometric examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be causally related to service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The issue of bilateral hearing loss remains pending as it was not addressed in the decision.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and correctly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including verification of his periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA), as well as obtaining any outstanding medical records. The case is therefore being REMANDED.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have tinnitus, PTSD, bipolar disorder and anxiety, pinched nerve, ADHD and ODD, or scoliosis during service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no legal basis for higher schedular evaluations for tinnitus, and the criteria for service connection were not met for left ear disorder, neck disorder, cervical spine disorder, or psychiatric disorder.