Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2012

The Board found that the Veteran's service records and private medical evaluations did not support a finding of tinnitus, thus denying his claim for service connection.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are as likely as not related to his active military service, including exposure to noise during basic training.

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

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule a VA examination. The examiner will determine if the Veteran's current respiratory disability is related to his presumed exposure to Agent Orange during active military service in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an increased evaluation for tinnitus, finding that he is already receiving the maximum schedular evaluation available under applicable rating criteria. The appeal was dismissed as there is no legal basis to award a higher evaluation.

The Board finds that the Veteran currently has a current disability of tinnitus, but does not have a diagnosed right ear hearing loss for VA purposes. The Veteran's service treatment records do not show any complaints or diagnoses related to either condition.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his military service, including exposure to noise from aircraft engines. The decision is granted.

The Board has ordered a remand due to concerns about the accuracy of the VA examiner's opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus. The case will be returned for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for clarification from the private audiologist regarding the onset of his conditions, as well as further examination by a VA examiner to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service connected, and his diabetes mellitus, type II, secondary to herbicide exposure in Vietnam, is also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active duty service, with a slight decrease in hearing acuity during service. The Board affirms the grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may they be presumed to have been so incurred.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest during service or due to any in-service noise exposure, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to inadequate examination reports.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral 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, National Guard service, or within one year of discharge. The evidence does not establish an in-service event, injury, or disease relating these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The claim for tinnitus was reopened but denied on the merits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral tinnitus was granted. The claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is pending and will be addressed in the remand portion of this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are causally related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.