Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2012

The Board has granted increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, gout of the right great toe, and several forms of joint dysfunction. The effective date remains pending as it is not specified in this decision.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown in service or for many years thereafter, and are not related to any in-service noise exposure.,Coronary artery disease was first manifested more than one year after service and is not related to service. Hypertension was also first manifested more than one year after service and is not related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic migraine headaches are currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but has not decided whether these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA audiological and ear, nose and throat examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to service exposure, resulting in a grant of service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus. The Veteran's BHL and tinnitus are found to be related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by his active military service. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, lung disorder, and bladder cancer have been denied, as well as the claim for a TDIU.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or any current disability. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are related to his active duty military service, with the most likely cause being acoustic trauma from in-service noise exposure. The claims are therefore granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of a link between his current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination and obtaining updated treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military noise exposure, and thus grants service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. After review of the evidence, including a private audiologist's opinion linking the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus to his military service, the claim is granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an audiological examination.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to insufficient medical evidence and the need for further development, including an examination to evaluate her ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a nexus opinion from Dr. W.B.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection on a secondary basis to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for tinnitus. The Veteran was found competent to report his symptoms and credible, and he is diagnosed with both PTSD and tinnitus. As such, the Board determined that there exists an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding the merits of this issue material to the determination of the matter, granting secondary service connection for tinnitus.