Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claim for a higher rate of SMC based on the need for a higher level of aid and attendance (A&A) has been denied as he is not shown to be in need of such care.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a sternum fracture, sinusitis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted.

The Veteran's initial ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under VA rating schedules.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which he claims are related to his military service. The VA has not provided an adequate opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service, and therefore grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no credible evidence of such during or immediately following service. The preponderance of the evidence supports a finding that these conditions are more likely due to post-service occupational noise exposure.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection of tinnitus. The claim is granted as the Veteran's current diagnosis of tinnitus, exposure to acoustic trauma in service, and continuity of symptoms since service have been substantiated.

The Board has remanded the case for further consideration of an extra-schedular rating for bilateral hearing loss disability and to obtain a supplemental statement of the case regarding service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which he claims are related to noise exposure during his military service. The appeal is currently pending due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The August 2009 VA compensation examiner determined that the Veteran had bilateral high frequency sensorineural hearing loss, but did not find a relationship between his military service and either condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's current Meniere's disease, right hearing loss, and tinnitus are not etiologically related to in-service noise exposure. The left ear hearing loss was also denied as there is no evidence of a compensable degree of hearing impairment.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, inguinal hernia, bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and a depressive psychiatric disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is related to acoustic trauma during military service. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability was not established.

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 his time on board the USS Gridley.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's reported noise exposure in service is sufficient to establish a link between his current condition and service. The issue of an increased rating for diabetes was withdrawn by the Veteran prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are attributable to acoustic noise trauma during his active military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his military service and/or his service-connected hearing loss, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus had its onset in service and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are likely due to noise exposure during his military service, granting the claims for these disabilities.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD and found new and material evidence. The Veteran's other psychiatric conditions are also being considered, but a remand is required to obtain VA treatment records and provide an adequate examination.