Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with the benefit of doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for further development due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart disability was not incurred in or aggravated by his active service, and denied all issues of entitlement to service connection.

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss in the right ear during service or at present, and denied service connection for right ear hearing loss. For left ear hearing loss, while there is a current diagnosis, the VA examiner concluded that it was not related to service noise exposure. Service connection was also denied for tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus has been denied. The evidence does not establish current disabilities in these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The issue of PTSD will be remanded as it involves a personal assault claim.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss was noted at entrance to service and the presumption of soundness does not apply. The Board finds that his left ear hearing loss was not aggravated by service.,There is insufficient competent medical evidence on file for the Secretary to make a decision on the claim regarding right ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, including consideration of his in-service noise exposure. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral hearing loss was not aggravated by active duty service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus and a right knee disorder, finding that the symptoms did not manifest in or are otherwise related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, with current evidence in relative equipoise on whether these conditions are directly related to his military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities were incurred as a result of acoustic trauma during his active military service, warranting service connection.

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

The Board found no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus during service and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection, concluding that any current conditions are not related to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service and has granted service connection for this condition. The decision on bilateral hearing loss remains pending as further examination and evidence are needed.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his active service, including exposure to acoustic trauma. The claims for service connection were granted as direct service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his exposure to loud noise during service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left ear hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulations. Therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

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 VA audiological examination results and private medical records.