Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's tinnitus is etiologically related to noise exposure during active duty service, and the Board finds that the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus was incurred in active service and granted service connection for this condition. The claims for sinus condition and nose disability are remanded due to incomplete records.

The Veteran's tinnitus is rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations, and his neck disability has been assigned a noncompensable rating. His bilateral hearing loss claim was not addressed as it may be encompassed by other claims.

The Board found that the Veteran did not sustain a disease or injury of the bilateral ears in service, and symptoms of hearing loss were not chronic during active service. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied as they do not meet the criteria.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to new and material evidence. However, these claims are being remanded for further development as the VA examination report is inadequate.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding it likely related to the Veteran's military service and specifically his exposure during the Gulf War. The effective date remains pending as further development is needed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new VA audiological examination and notification of the Veteran's right to a hearing on his claim for an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor may sensorineural hearing loss be presumed to have been incurred in service.,Giving the benefit of the doubt to the Veteran, his tinnitus was incurred in active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and is not proximately due to or the result of any service-connected disability, including his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

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

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for verification of his National Guard service and additional records from Fort Polk, Louisiana.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus began in service and has continued until the present day, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on April 17, 2009 and May 7, 2009 do not meet the criteria for payment or reimbursement under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1728 due to lack of emergency treatment.

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

The Veteran is rendered unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment as a result of his service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus, and the Board finds that the criteria for a TDIU are met.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not caused by or aggravated by his service, including exposure to noise from aircraft engines and a mortar attack in Vietnam. The Board found the Veteran's claims for these conditions to be denied.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus that is causally related to service. Therefore, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has determined that there is a reasonable doubt as to whether the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his period of service, and therefore grants service connection for tinnitus.