Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2012

The Board found no evidence of a current hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulations and ruled out any link between the Veteran's tinnitus and his period of active service. The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, as the current evidence of record does not provide sufficient information regarding the onset and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are related to in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims for service connection for tinnitus and a vision disorder. The Veteran's statements are considered duplicative of prior evidence, and do not provide sufficient evidence to establish service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The VA examinations concluded that these conditions are less likely than not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the etiology of various disabilities claimed by the appellant.

The Board found that the Veteran's diagnosed tinnitus first manifested in service with a continuity of symptoms after service, and granted his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus due to additional development needed, including obtaining VA treatment records, National Guard service records, and a VA audiological examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus are the result of acoustic trauma during service, meeting the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board found no evidence of in-service hearing loss or tinnitus and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet continuity of symptomatology criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus render him unemployable, as determined by the Board based on the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right shoulder disability or tinnitus due to service and therefore denied both claims.

The Veteran's tinnitus is rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations, and his bilateral hearing loss warrants a 20% rating since September 18, 2006. The effective date for this rating remains to be determined.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for VA examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2, is granted as secondary to Agent Orange exposure. His bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are presumed due to in-service acoustic trauma. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is granted based on presumed combat experience.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his period of service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran. Service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination and medical opinion to determine the etiology of his claimed bilateral hearing loss, including as secondary to service-connected tinnitus. The examiner should consider the Veteran's in-service noise exposure and post-service symptoms of hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that his claim for TDIU is warranted on a schedular basis.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss with tinnitus, and hemorrhoids are presumed to have been incurred in service. The low back disorder is not related to service, but the knee disorders are considered presumptively due to exposure to burn pits. No effective date was assigned as all conditions were granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, skin disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The claim for eyes was not addressed in this decision.