Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not have onset during active service, were not related to service, and are not compensable disabilities. Therefore, his claims for service connection for these conditions have been denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus. The underlying claims are now remanded for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's current tinnitus did not originate during service and is not related to his military noise exposure. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to May 18, 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest within one year of his separation from service, and there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to military service. As a result, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus was denied an increased rating on extraschedular basis, and his claim for TDIU was also denied as the combined disability rating did not meet the schedular requirements. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran was not found to be unemployable due to service-connected disabilities prior to October 2, 2008. From October 2, 2008 to September 11, 2013, the evidence showed that he was unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

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 loud noise exposure. Service connection for hepatitis C is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a current disability related to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a hearing loss disability or tinnitus as defined by VA regulations, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have had onset during active service and granted service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there was no evidence of a nexus to his in-service noise exposure, and the disabilities did not manifest within one year of separation from service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated during his military service, as there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure leading to permanent negative impact on hearing. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus is as likely as not attributable to his active military service, and the Board grants entitlement to service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU benefits is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and VA examinations regarding his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to work.

The Board has granted the appellant's request to reopen his claims for service connection for a back disability and bilateral hearing loss, finding new and material evidence. The claim of service connection for tinnitus was also reopened.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as both conditions are found to be at least as likely as not attributable to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he has been able to secure and maintain employment in various roles over the past year.

The Veteran's joint disorder, including osteoarthritis and shoulder impingement syndrome, is not service-connected as it is related to the natural aging process.,There is no evidence of tinnitus in service or within one year after discharge. The VA examiner opined that the Veteran's tinnitus is less likely than not caused by military noise exposure.,The Veteran does not have a diagnosed sleep disorder, and his reported difficulty sleeping due to anxiety and nightmares is not supported by medical records.,There is no evidence of fatigue in service or within one year after discharge. The Veteran's current condition is attributed to the natural aging process.,The Veteran had missing teeth at the time of discharge from service, but this does not meet the criteria for service connection as it was not due to loss of substance of the body of the maxilla or mandible.

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 a current disability within one year after separation from service. The VA examiner opined that the Veteran's hearing loss was more likely due to post-service noise exposure at Dow-Corning.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions and records in order to properly adjudicate the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.