Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2012

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, left leg disability, back disability, neck disability, right ear hearing loss, left knee instability, and arthritis. The Veteran's claims for a separate rating for left knee arthritis and a higher evaluation for left knee meniscal tear are also granted.

The Veteran seeks service connection for tinnitus, which he claims is related to noise exposure during his military service. The VA examiner concluded that it was not at least as likely as not that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to his military service. The case is REMANDED for another medical opinion and obtaining additional treatment records.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The evidence does not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have bilateral leg disorders, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss or a low back disorder that began during service or are causally related to active service.,Service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are as likely as not related to his active military service, including exposure to loud noise during service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as he withdrew his appeal for a higher rating of tinnitus. The Board found that the Veteran meets the criteria for an initial 10 percent rating for residuals of right foot injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting right ear hearing loss was aggravated by service, and he is therefore granted service connection for this condition. His left ear hearing loss is not considered to have been incurred in service. The Board also finds that his tinnitus is proximately due to his now service-connected right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to a scheduling issue and requests that the Veteran have a hearing at the RO before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran is granted a 10 percent evaluation for serous otitis media and tinnitus, effective November 21, 2007. The Veteran's service-connected serous otitis media does not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The appeal is being remanded due to the lack of a transcript from the July 29, 2009 RO formal hearing and for clarification on whether the Veteran still wants a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's death was not due to any service-connected condition, and the claims for PTSD, increased ratings for various conditions, and service connection were denied. The cause of death was a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA audiological examination to determine if he has current bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board found no evidence of in-service hearing loss or tinnitus, and the Veteran's current conditions are not linked to service. The VA examinations did not find a nexus between his current disabilities and military service.

The VA denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of tinnitus, finding that there is no medical evidence linking current tinnitus to his active duty service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his military service. The Board concluded that the progression from normal hearing at separation to moderate high frequency combined sensory/neural hearing loss on both ears after 32 years post-service is more likely due to other causes.

The Board found no evidence of a spine disorder or low back disorder in service, and denied the claim based on lack of credible evidence. The respiratory disorder was determined to be secondary to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which is not service-connected. Tinnitus was also considered secondary to GERD. Hypertension was not found to be related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss disability, tinnitus, right thigh contusion, and left foot disorder. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to his military service.