Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and shell fragment wounds to the back and right shoulder, did not render him unemployable prior to August 12, 2006.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of service separation, and thus denied service connection for these conditions. The evidence showed no chronicity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, skin spots, and bilateral foot fungus are all granted. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence supports these claims.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are attributable to his military service, including acoustic trauma and otitis media or claimed 'cat fever' occurring therein. As such, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as to obtain any relevant treatment records.

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

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

The Board has determined that further efforts are needed to verify the Veteran's periods of active duty training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty training (INACDUTRA). The VA examination reports do not address whether the Veteran incurred or aggravated tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss during his National Guard service. Therefore, the case is REMANDED for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his mood disorder, degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, left sided leg weakness, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to perform activities of daily living without regular aid and attendance from another person. His need for such assistance is due to his severe lower extremity weakness caused by his service-connected degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, headaches, and a right foot disability were granted with effective dates of November 1, 2006. The appeal is dismissed as the issues are moot.

The Veteran's tinnitus began during service and the Board has determined that it is at least as likely as not related to his military service. The hearing loss claim remains pending due to insufficient evidence of a current disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and residuals of head injuries. The Veteran's in-service noise exposure is presumed, and his current disabilities are found to be related to active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinion regarding the relationship between current hearing loss and tinnitus and noise exposure in service.

The Board has determined that additional actions are required to address the Veteran's claims, including clarifying whether a psychiatric disorder claim is resolved and scheduling a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for a more thorough examination and opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure, resulting in a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no jurisdiction remains for the merits of the claim.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to inadequate medical examination. A new VA audiologic examination is needed, including a discussion on the relationship between current hearing loss and tinnitus and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the failure to comply with previous Board directives. The case must be referred to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for extraschedular consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active military service, with no aggravation found. The claims for service connection have been granted.