Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2013

The Board finds that the Veteran's current tinnitus is likely due to his in-service noise exposure, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, as well as an increased rating for his right forefoot disability. The Board has found that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's tinnitus is related to active duty service, but finds no such equipoise on the issue of bilateral hearing loss or the right forefoot disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for any of the conditions he claims, and therefore service connection is denied.

The Veteran's substantive appeal was not timely filed, and the Board has dismissed the appeal due to this jurisdictional issue.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted, but her claim for an initial compensable evaluation for her abdominal scar is denied.

The Board has determined that a new examination and opinion are necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus. The case is being remanded for these purposes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus, finding that it was less likely than not related to his military service and instead attributed the onset of tinnitus to a post-service head injury.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his tinnitus. The examiner must consider the Veteran's in-service noise exposure as conceded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the etiology of his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as obtain any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims due to difficulties in scheduling a VA examination for the Veteran while he is incarcerated. The claims will be further developed and reconsidered.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus disability was incurred or aggravated in service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his service, as he first noted it in service and has had it since. Therefore, service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are as likely as not related to his active service, including noise exposure during training. Therefore, both conditions have been granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate rationale in the April 2011 VA examination, and an addendum opinion is needed to address the appellant's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 50 percent, which does not meet the percentage requirements for schedular TDIU. The Board finds no persuasive evidence suggesting that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities or that his case is outside the norm.

The VA examiner determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, with no indication of exposure to any herbicide agent.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.,New and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for tinnitus, which was previously denied in May 1997.