Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus are service-connected, but his right ear hearing loss is not. The claims for service connection for these conditions have been granted.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing right ear hearing loss did not increase in severity during service and that there was no evidence of left ear hearing loss or tinnitus. The decision also noted that the Veteran had experienced acoustic trauma while serving as a chaparral missile crewman.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to in-service noise exposure, and his bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure. Service connection for both conditions is granted.

The Veteran's severe back pain with numbness and weakness in his lower extremities, which was aggravating his service-connected PTSD, met the criteria for emergency treatment not previously authorized. The medical expenses incurred at a private chiropractic center were reimbursable as they were necessary due to an emergent condition that would have been hazardous if delayed.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, which represents a complete grant of the benefit sought on appeal. As such, no discussion of VA's duty to notify and assist is necessary.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his active service, specifically the noise exposure he experienced while serving as an air traffic controller and aircraft pneudraulic systems specialist. As a result, service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of tinnitus is related to his in-service noise exposure. The claim for bilateral hearing loss remains pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, and the Board finds that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran is entitled to TDIU and SMC for the period prior to March 26, 2007 due to service-connected disabilities of residuals of shell fragment wounds of the left hand, hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, and a scar from an exotomectomy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and other orthopedic conditions, are found to preclude him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment. The Board grants a TDIU based on the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in service, nor are they related to his military service.,Specifically, the Veteran did not have any complaints or treatment for these conditions during service. His current hearing difficulties began after separation from service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to his service, including combat exposure. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's request to withdraw the issue of service connection for hypertension secondary to tinnitus has been granted. The remaining issues have not yet been decided.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus and granted it, finding that new and material evidence had been received. The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but not for hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to active duty. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied due to lack of continuity of symptoms since service and no medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus do not meet the criteria for service connection as they are not shown to be causally or etiologically related to his military service.

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

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection and a 70% disability rating for PTSD was assigned effective from December 20, 2012. The decision also addressed the initial rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been evaluated at the maximum available rating of 10 percent. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for both conditions is denied.