Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records. The issues are whether he has current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus that were caused by exposure to acoustic trauma in service.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus, as secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and clarification of medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a hearing and obtaining medical records. The issues of TDIU and service connection for irritable bowel syndrome will be reconsidered in light of the new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is etiologically related to his period of active service and grants entitlement to service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance of another person, as he is able to function normally without the requirement for such assistance.

The Board found that the evidence received since the February 2005 rating decision does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, thus denying both new and material evidence claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to schedule the appellant's requested travel board hearing. The appeal is now pending for further action.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for tinnitus and an earlier effective date for the 10 percent rating were denied. The claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.,There is no legal basis to grant any of the Veteran's claims as the maximum schedular rating has been assigned for all conditions.

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing. The issues of service connection for tinnitus, bilateral foot condition, lumbar spine condition, and sciatica of the right lower extremity are still pending.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that new evidence supports reopening of his left ear hearing loss claim. The Veteran is also found to have current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus attributable to his military service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an updated VA examination and determine if the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus began in service and has persisted, granting service connection for tinnitus. The decision on bilateral hearing loss is pending as it was not addressed in this specific decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's atrial fibrillation, COPD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are not related to his period of active service. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure, thus granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that tinnitus was incurred in service and is granted as a result of the Veteran's credible testimony regarding symptoms experienced during service. The claim for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and requesting a supplemental opinion from the December 2010 audiologist. The claim will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the appeal can be decided, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an opinion on whether the appellant's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to military noise exposure.

The Veteran's tinnitus had its onset in active military service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The issue of bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are as likely as not related to his active service, including exposure to loud noise during combat. As a result, the claims for service connection have been granted.