Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2012

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were less likely than not related to his service, but granted service connection for these conditions based on direct evidence of their existence.

The Veteran's tinnitus and hypertension were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and the Board finds that they are not related to his military service.,The Veteran's left forearm scar does not manifest with current symptomatology.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than February 23, 2007 for hepatitis C was denied as there was no new and material evidence received within one year of the November 1994 rating decision.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than March 31, 1994 for a 10% disability rating for tinnitus was also denied because the increase in symptoms associated with the service-connected tinnitus was not factually ascertainable prior to March 31, 1994.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by his military service, including specifically to the noise trauma he claims to have experienced while in service.

The Board has remanded the appeal due to a need for additional development, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for tinnitus. The Board finds that the earliest effective date is December 11, 2008 as this was the date the Veteran's claim for service connection was received by VA.

The Veteran's claim for retroactive additional compensation benefits for two dependent children (Z.M. and J.M.) is denied as the required information was not provided within one year of the April 2002 rating decision, which increased his PTSD disability rating to 30 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, headaches, and acquired psychiatric disorder were not incurred in or related to his active service. The claims for these conditions were therefore denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected as they are not related to his military service, including noise exposure.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his military service, specifically exposure to jet engine noise during active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development, including a missed VA examination and lack of available VA treatment records. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being reviewed for possible service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus) do not render him unemployable. The Board finds no basis to grant a TDIU.

The Board has determined that there is no legal basis for an effective date prior to June 30, 2005 for the grants of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to service, resolving all doubt in his favor.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to exposure to acoustic trauma in service and granted his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with onset in service or caused by service. As such, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the Board found that new and material evidence was not received to reopen his claim of bilateral hearing loss. The claims for tinnitus and left knee disorder are granted as secondary to a service-connected right ankle disorder. The effective date for service connection is set at February 18, 2004.