Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2012

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and service incurrence may not be presumed. The claim for tinnitus is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and development of his TDIU claim, including consideration of all service-connected disabilities on employability.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss does not meet VA criteria and his tinnitus is related to military noise exposure.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims and granted service connection for hearing loss disability, finding that there is sufficient evidence to establish a link between his current condition and military noise exposure. Tinnitus was not found to be related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, a low back disability, and an acquired respiratory disability to include COPD, asthma, chronic bronchitis, sinusitis, and laryngitis.,Service connection is established for these conditions based on direct evidence of their onset during active duty.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining National Guard service records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and likely etiology of any left knee disorder. The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are also being reviewed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity as secondary to his service-connected low back disability. The initial rating for arthritis of the right ankle was also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there was no evidence of a chronic condition during or immediately after service. The VA examiner opined that the current conditions were less likely caused by military noise exposure.

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

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected right olecranon epicondylitis and sinus disability with headaches, finding that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for either condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and pseudofolliculitis barbae. The case is being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration of the evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's tinnitus began in service and is related to his exposure to loud noises during active duty.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss. The decision concludes that it is at least as likely as not that his current right ear hearing loss is related to noise exposure during military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is not related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection. The issue of increased rating for generalized anxiety disorder was also addressed but no effective date adjustment was granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to determine if he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities prior to and after March 30, 2011. The RO will consider whether the Veteran can secure and follow substantially gainful employment given all of his service-connected conditions.

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including urinary incontinence, spinal stenosis, anxiety disorder, and others, have prevented him from securing and maintaining gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hearing loss or tinnitus that is related to his military service, but he has been granted service connection for tinnitus.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are etiologically related to noise exposure during his active service, and therefore grants entitlement to service connection for these conditions.