Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for tinnitus was dismissed as a freestanding claim, not related to the reopening of his service connection claim.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the payment of additional compensation based on having a spouse and children was denied. The effective date for this benefit is set at January 1, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and chronic tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development of the evidence, including a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted, with the Board finding that his current tinnitus is likely due to noise exposure during military service. The Veteran's claim for an increase in his bilateral hearing loss disability remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, resulting in a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, nor can they be presumed to have been so incurred. The preponderance of evidence is against finding a relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is etiologically related to acoustic trauma sustained during active military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus granting his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the current nature and etiology of these conditions, given their potential service connection based on exposure during active duty.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran currently has a diagnosed bilateral hearing loss disability, which meets the criteria for service connection under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The appeal is REMANDED.

The VA denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that his current condition is not related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board finds that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his service due to noise exposure, and grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have had its onset during his active military service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied his claim for service connection. The issue of hepatitis remains pending as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding its etiology.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU for the period from December 15, 2009 through July 30, 2013 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new and material evidence. However, both claims for service connection for tinnitus and hearing loss have been denied as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings, reopening of service connection claims, and service connection for various conditions. The decision is final on all issues except those related to reopening of previously denied claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is being remanded due to inadequacies in the examination and opinion provided by VA. The case will be returned to the RO for further development.