Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2012

The Board finds that the Veteran has current tinnitus, which first became manifest in service. The preponderance of evidence is in his favor and service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of tinnitus, and there is no evidence linking any in-service noise exposure to his current condition. The claim for service connection for hearing loss was also denied as there is no competent medical evidence showing a current disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to service, while his infectious hepatitis is rated at a compensable level based on its effects.

The Board denied a request for an earlier effective date for service connection of tinnitus, finding that the earliest date entitlement arose was November 16, 2007.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received, allowing the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death to be reopened. The August 2012 VA medical expert opinion supports a finding that the seizure disorder was related to the in-service head injury.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for service-connected bilateral tinnitus from March 9, 1966 to March 19, 1970 due to the absence of a compensable disability evaluation under the applicable regulations at that time.

The Board found that the appellant did not have hearing loss or tinnitus due to service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his military service, including exposure to loud jet engine noise during flight line duties. As such, the criteria for service connection have been met.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a chronic back disorder, tinnitus, PTSD, hypertension, and sleep disorders. The decision also addressed issues related to entitlement to a total evaluation for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that his current diagnoses are related to in-service noise exposure and chronic pain from multiple service-connected disabilities, respectively.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, and malaria/bilateral hearing loss, combine to be 80% disabling. However, the evidence does not support a finding that he is unemployable due solely to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to insufficient consideration of his lay assertions regarding in-service symptoms and post-service complaints.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and providing a new VA examination to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, left knee disability, and right knee disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there was no credible evidence of noise exposure during service and post-service occupational noise exposure is more likely responsible for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's reports of ringing in his ears during and since service are credible. The hearing loss claim is remanded to obtain a VA examination to determine if the Veteran currently has bilateral hearing loss as defined by VA regulations.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for a total disability rating and for DEA benefits. The case has been remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability during the relevant period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to determine his ability to work due to service-connected disabilities, and for further adjudication.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus must be remanded to obtain a VA examination, as the current opinion is inadequate. The examiner should provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's conditions had their clinical onset during active service or are related to any in-service disease, event, or injury.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the relationship of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus to service. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for the issues of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for hemorrhoids and service connection for a bilateral hip disorder, bilateral knee disorder, low back disorder, right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, a bilateral eye disorder, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and chloracne.