Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, with left ear hearing loss being aggravated by service. The claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's TDIU claim due to insufficient evidence regarding his combined service-connected disabilities and their impact on employment, as well as for referral of the issue to the Director of VA's Compensation and Pension Service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is being remanded due to insufficient examination reports and the need for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current hearing loss disability is related to in-service noise exposure. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus was withdrawn by the Veteran before a decision could be made.

The Veteran's tinnitus had its onset in service and is granted service connection. The right ear hearing loss disability and left ear hearing loss disability are also granted, but the issues of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for a left ear hearing loss disability and the need for VA audiology examinations have been remanded.

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

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for status post splenectomy residuals, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus. The effective date of any grant of benefits is February 26, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining Army Reserve personnel records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Board has found that the appellant's bilateral tinnitus is caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA audiological examination and reviewing a March 18, 1991 audiogram report.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to his period of active military service, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are not service-connected as they did not have their clinical onset in active service or are otherwise causally related to active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there was no evidence of hearing impairment during service and the medical opinion concluded that the current conditions are more likely due to post-service occupational noise exposure. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantial, gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus is not causally related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current tinnitus disability is not causally related to active service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and a left shoulder disability, do not preclude him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is currently employed in a sedentary position and generates an income above the poverty threshold.

The Board has determined that the appellant's tinnitus is at least as likely caused by his military service, specifically exposure to acoustic trauma during active duty. Therefore, the claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted.