Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a videoconference hearing. The claims for service connection remain pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of a significant change in hearing acuity during active duty. The presumption of soundness attached to his enlistment due to pre-existing hearing loss.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus did not meet the criteria for service connection as they were not shown to have been incurred or aggravated during his active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records. A new VA examination will be scheduled to assess the severity of his PTSD symptoms and whether he is unemployable due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess his employability due to service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during or immediately following service. The VA examiner opined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were more likely due to post-service occupational noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus are service-connected, with both conditions meeting the regulatory requirements for hearing loss disability for VA purposes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, with a presumption of soundness at entry into service. The Veteran reported exposure to noise during service as an artillery crewman.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to noise exposure during active military service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to additional development required.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a skin disorder due to herbicide exposure. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable due to their combined effect, as his PTSD and other conditions allow for substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are due to in-service loud noise exposure, which is considered a type of acoustic trauma. As such, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to address issues related to service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as an increased evaluation for diabetes mellitus and a finding of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. With resolution of reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, it is as likely as not that his currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran experienced tinnitus in service and there is a competent medical opinion linking it to service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss will be addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not caused by or a result of noise exposure during military service.