Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability was withdrawn prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hearing loss or tinnitus that is related to his military service and therefore denied both claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the bilateral lower extremities, left hip disability (left hip replacement), right knee disability (right knee replacement), low back disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and recurrent tinnitus prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, while his low back disorder, knee disorder, right upper extremity numbness, residuals of a dog bite to the right hand, and fractured knuckle on the right hand do not have evidence of onset during service or within one year thereafter.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for additional examinations. The Veteran's testimony at his July 2013 hearing indicated that he may have a respiratory disease related to service, and there are concerns about his ability to attend necessary VA examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to service, while his chloracne is not considered due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded for further examination as the current medical opinion is insufficient to adjudicate the claims.

The Board denied service connection for disabilities of the right arm, hands, feet, and eyes, as well as a sensation of tightening and/or closing of the throat. The Veteran's claim for tinnitus was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are moot.

The Board finds that the overpayment of VA disability compensation benefits was not properly created as it was solely due to VA administrative error. The Veteran's claim for waiver of the overpayment is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the TDIU claim due to insufficient evidence and needs further examination of the Veteran's service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied service connection for low back disability. The decision is mixed as it grants some issues (bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus) and denies others (low back disability).

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to his in-service noise exposure. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss remains pending as it was remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to service, with the Board granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board found that the current disabilities are not related to military noise exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are related to his exposure to loud noises during military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and squamous cell cancer of the lungs, finding no current evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted. The initial compensable evaluation for asthma disability was assigned prior to May 16, 2007, and an evaluation in excess of 30 percent was assigned from May 16, 2007, to April 12, 2012, with a subsequent increase to 30 percent thereafter. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee disabilities, costochondritis (chest pain), and tinnitus. The Veteran's honorable period of service is considered in determining the nexus to service.