Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection, and his left knee disability received a 10 percent evaluation. The hearing loss claim is not part of the current appeal.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal on all issues related to service connection and rating for various conditions, including hearing loss with ear infections, tinnitus, onychomycosis of the toes and fingers, left shoulder disability, right hip bursitis, osteopenia, and chronic rhinitis and sinus infections.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if any respiratory disorders are related to service.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus need further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions and evidence. The Veteran's claims are being remanded to allow for these steps.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's testimony alone is sufficient to establish a link between his current condition and military noise exposure. The claim of bilateral hearing loss was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew it prior to decision.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are being remanded due to incomplete service records and need for further medical examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities, as well as whether they are related to service. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there is no competent evidence showing that his current conditions are related to his active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claim. The preponderance of the evidence showed no link between his current diagnoses and military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete evidence, including a lack of relevant military records from his Army Reserve period. The case will be returned to the RO/AMC for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete information in the VA examination report. The Veteran's history of noise exposure during military service is consistent with his current symptoms, but the VA examiner did not consider this history when providing an opinion.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for tinnitus, with the Board finding that his in-service noise exposure is likely related to his current condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his exposure to loud noise during service and finds that he meets the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims due to unclear findings regarding hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as potential issues with service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his claims for increased ratings for a back disability. The issues of higher initial ratings for the entire time period are still pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current tinnitus began in service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal regarding whether a July 1969 administrative decision contained CUE. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are denied.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown to have been present in service or at any time thereafter, and the Board finds no evidence of a nexus between his current disabilities and military service.,There is no evidence of chronic tinnitus during service. The Veteran reported experiencing tinnitus for eight years post-service, but there is no documentation of such in service records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to exposure to acoustic trauma during service and finds that his symptoms have been continuous since service separation. As a result, the claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted.