Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neurological disorder and tinnitus are not service-connected, but granted service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the case can be decided, including obtaining the Veteran's service treatment records and service personnel records. The claim for reopening of a tinnitus service connection will be remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus that is related to his military service, and thus denied both claims for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate.

The VA determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is not related to his military service, including noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus have prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful employment prior to the assignment of a 100 percent schedular rating for his hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than February 9, 2009 for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied as they predate the date entitlement arose.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are etiologically related to his inservice noise exposure, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are causally related to his active duty service, with noise exposure as a primary factor.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, and thus grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's claimed hearing loss, tinnitus, and gastrointestinal problems (constipation) are not deemed to be the result of VA hospital/medical care or treatment provided during medical trial testing from January 5, 2001 to December 17, 2004. The proximate cause is also not considered to be due to negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault on the part of VA.

The Board has determined that the claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus need further development, including a new VA examination. The Veteran's current hearing loss disability is being evaluated in light of his documented decline in hearing during service and his statement that he continued to be exposed to noise following his separation from service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, while his back and knee disabilities are not. The claim for a back disability is denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or chronic condition within one year after discharge. The claims for left and right knee disabilities are also denied due to lack of evidence showing an in-service injury.

The Board has determined that further development is needed before a decision can be made on the Veteran's claims for service connection. The claims will be remanded to allow for additional examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete information and need for additional examinations. The appeal is currently pending further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing at the RO with a member of the Board sitting in Washington D.C.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus to service, concluding that any relationship is speculative. As a result, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has remanded the claims to the RO for further development of evidence and due process development, including scheduling a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, but his claim for a mouth injury is denied as there is no credible evidence of such an injury in service.