Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2012

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus and granted it. The evidence received after the September 2004 rating decision is new and material, showing that the Veteran's current tinnitus is etiologically related to active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were less likely as not related to his military service, including due to noise exposure. The evidence did not show any significant hearing problems during service or post-service.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the July 2, 1981 rating decision that denied service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure and finds it at least as likely as not that his current tinnitus is not related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability or tinnitus are related to his service.

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder, cognitive impairment and memory difficulties due to a traumatic brain injury, migraines, neck disability, and back disability. Service connection was not established for GERD or hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current tinnitus is of service origin and grants service connection for this condition. The decision on whether the Veteran's coronary artery disease, including as secondary to diabetes mellitus, was incurred in service remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA audiological examination and additional medical records.

The Veteran does not have a current left ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes and his tinnitus is not related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being reviewed, as well as his claim for an initial compensable disability evaluation for bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for the issues of hepatitis C, migraine headaches, a disability manifested by memory loss, a disability manifested by insomnia, a major depressive disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus and granted it on de novo review, finding that new evidence shows the Veteran had tinnitus since service.

The Board found no evidence of current hearing loss disability meeting VA criteria and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. For tinnitus, the Board determined that there was insufficient medical evidence to establish a link between the condition and service exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The VA examination did not provide sufficient rationale for its conclusions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus. The claim will be reconsidered with additional development.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, despite his assertions of in-service noise exposure. The VA audiologist opined that there was no evidence of excessive noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his in-service combat-related acoustic trauma, and service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and National Guard service treatment records. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Board has determined that the evidence received since the August 2003 rating decision is not new and material, thus denying the Veteran's attempts to reopen his claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.