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 in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are likely due to noise exposure during his active service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination for the Veteran's left knee disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain his SSA records, which may contain relevant evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for reopening the claims of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by noise exposure during his period of active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of a nexus between current hearing impairment and service. The VA examinations did not support a finding that the disabilities began during service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further consideration, including an evaluation of his employability due to service-connected disabilities. The case will be referred to the Compensation and Pension Service for extra-schedular consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and retaining all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss have been granted. However, the initial ratings requested (higher than 10 percent for tinnitus and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss) are denied as they do not meet the criteria under VA regulations.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and hypertension, which represents a complete grant of the benefits sought on appeal. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and renal disability claims are remanded to obtain additional medical evidence.

The Board finds that the Veteran's back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are not related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a skin disorder, but denied the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.,New evidence submitted by the appellant suggests that he may have had a skin condition during service or shortly thereafter.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied them on the merits. The claim for tinnitus is granted as there is evidence of a link between service and tinnitus, while the claim for hearing loss remains denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus and erectile dysfunction, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,Service connection was not granted as the Veteran did not have a diagnosed condition during or within one year after service. The Board also found that there is insufficient medical evidence to establish a link between current erectile dysfunction and PTSD.

The Veteran's hypertension has been shown to require medication for its control, warranting a noncompensable initial evaluation.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability.,Service connection for tinnitus was denied as there is no medical evidence linking current tinnitus to military noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right wrist, left wrist, right shoulder, and left shoulder disorders have been reopened. Bilateral hearing loss disability is granted as incurred in service.,Tinnitus is granted as incurred in service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are likely due to his exposure to loud noise during active duty for training aboard the USS Henley in July-August 1965. As such, service connection is granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are related to in-service acoustic trauma.