Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence is not new and material, thus denying the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for a left ankle disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling examinations, and readjudicating the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting opinions in the examination report and insufficient clarity of the etiology opinion. The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his medical records.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his tinnitus, as well as proper VCAA notice regarding secondary service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA audiology examination to determine if his current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to his failure to report for VA examinations and the need to obtain additional service treatment records.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to a lack of indication of whether he wishes for a hearing, and the Veteran requested a Travel Board hearing. The case is now being returned to the RO with instructions to schedule the Veteran for such a hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected as they are more likely due to natural aging process rather than in-service noise exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not have their onset during service or are otherwise related to military service, including noise exposure. The claims were denied.

The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against finding that the Veteran has current disabilities of the ears, nose, or left ankle that are related to his military service. The claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus and left knee disability, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as for a higher rating for left ankle fracture residuals. The Veteran's claim for increased disability evaluation remains on appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are etiologically related to his active military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be incurred in service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain the Veteran's service personnel records and to provide him with an audiological examination to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of any hearing loss and tinnitus he may have. The case will be returned for further appellate review.

The Veteran's tinnitus and migraine headaches were found to have onset in service, with the Board finding that there was an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding their causes. Service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Board found new and material evidence for Scheuermann's disease and denied other claims. The Veteran is still seeking service connection for his conditions.