Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2012

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active service. The claim for Meniere's disease is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology.

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or retaining substantially gainful employment, and his current job as a welder does not qualify as marginal employment.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a total rating based on individual unemployability has been remanded due to inadequate opinions regarding all his service-connected disabilities and the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss prior to February 18, 2012, and thereafter was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,Service connection for tinnitus secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss was granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's assertions of noise exposure in service are credible. The evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether his current hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his period of service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be causally related to his military service, and the Board grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus should be remanded to obtain a medical examination and nexus opinion.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his military service, warranting the grant of service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have begun in service and has continued since, meeting the criteria for service connection. The issue of bilateral hearing loss will be remanded as it requires additional development.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for PTSD was granted, with a rating of 70 percent effective May 1, 2010. The decision also addressed service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues, and no specific service connection decisions are made in this decision.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and peripheral artery disease of the upper extremities were denied as these conditions are not service-connected.,Specifically, the Board found that the Veteran does not have hearing loss disability as contemplated by 38 C.F.R. § 3.385 and claimed bilateral hearing loss is not attributable to service nor was such present within one year of separation from service.,Tinnitus was also determined not attributable to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current tinnitus started while on active duty and has continued since then, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that there is new and material evidence to reopen the claims for service connection for hearing loss, left knee disorder, tinnitus, and left shoulder disorder. The Veteran's current disabilities are found to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that a new VA audiological examination is necessary to address the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, as these conditions may be related to in-service hazardous noise exposure. The appeal will be remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left eye disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's lay testimony and competent medical evidence establish that he has current hearing loss disability and recurrent tinnitus that began during active service and are related to exposure to acoustic trauma during active service. Therefore, the claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus have been granted.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which he claims are due to noise exposure in service. The VA has not obtained his service treatment records, but the Veteran reports a history of hearing problems since service. A VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are likely related to noise exposure in service, and thus grants service connection for both conditions.