Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are incurred during active service, warranting service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for ratings higher than 10 percent for chondromalacia of the knees and for service connection for vertigo, to be further developed by the RO. The remaining claims for service connection for right and left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are being adjudicated.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of service connection for compression fracture at T9 with osteoporosis due to the Veteran's withdrawal. The claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss are granted, as there is evidence of current disability related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

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

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus due to further development, including a request for clarification from the VA examiner who conducted the April 2008 audiology examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a headache disorder, tinnitus, and residuals of an inguinal strain. The appeals were not granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to acoustic trauma in service, including during active duty and Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA). The Board grants these claims.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a hernia, bilateral knee disability, and heart murmur have been denied. The claim for symptoms of dizziness secondary to tinnitus is pending. A compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss has also been denied.

The Board found that it is not factually ascertainable from the evidence of record that the Veteran was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of service-connected disabilities prior to March 9, 2004. Therefore, an effective date earlier than March 9, 2004 for the award of TDIU benefits is denied.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted due to noise exposure during service. However, his claims for peripheral neuropathy of the feet and hands, as well as erectile dysfunction, secondary to diabetes mellitus or PTSD, have not met the criteria for service connection.

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

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active service. Service connection was denied for sinusitis.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of tinnitus had its onset in service and is related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to issues related to service connection for various hearing and balance conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, as there was no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus during service. The VA audiologists concluded that both conditions are more likely due to post-service occupational noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety disorder is causally related to service, but his bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left ankle disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and bilateral thumb disorder are not due to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, with consideration given to his in-service noise exposure. The claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have begun during service and is therefore granted service connection. The Board finds that additional examinations are needed for the remaining issues.

The Board has determined that tinnitus is at least as likely as not due to a disease or injury that occurred during the Veteran's military service, and thus grants service connection for tinnitus.