Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or other causative factors. The current conditions are more likely due to natural aging (presbycusis) rather than military service.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and no jurisdiction remains for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are not related to his military service, including noise exposure. The VA examiner found no nexus between the Veteran's hearing loss and active service.

The Veteran's claims for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or adaptive equipment, and for an earlier effective date for service connection are denied as he does not meet the eligibility criteria based on his current service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for left ear hearing loss is granted as his condition is found to be related to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss had its onset during active duty service due to combat noise exposure. Service connection is granted for this condition. However, there is insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran's right ear hearing loss was incurred in service or if his tinnitus is related to his service-connected left ear hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no credible evidence of in-service noise exposure or current disabilities meeting VA criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting right ear hearing loss was aggravated by service, and his left ear hearing loss is considered to be incurred in service. Tinnitus is also found to have been incurred in service.

The Veteran's appeal of his increased-rating claims for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn by the appellant's attorney.

The Board found that the appellant does not have current right ear hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes and thus is not entitled to service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, with reasonable doubt resolved in his favor.

The Veteran was granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus disability is found to have had its onset in service, and he is granted service connection. The Veteran's inguinal hernia residuals are not found to be recurrent or disabling enough for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss has been denied as there is no legal basis for the assignment of a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service exposure to noise. As a result, all reasonable doubt has been resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus had onset in service and is related to her noise exposure during active duty. The claim for bilateral hearing loss will be remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding its etiology.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be causally related to his in-service noise exposure, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The issue of PTSD remains pending as it did not meet the criteria for a valid diagnosis at the time of the April 2010 VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate rationale in a previous VA opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus claims. The claims will be reviewed again after obtaining additional medical opinions.