Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2013

The Veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions that are related to his service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, right ear tinnitus, and left ear tinnitus. The Board found that preexisting right ear hearing loss was not aggravated by service and that right ear tinnitus is not related to service.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance is denied as he does not meet the criteria for such benefit.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between current conditions and military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is due, in part, to military noise exposure. The claim for service connection of right ear hearing loss disability is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as there is no evidence to support a direct relationship between his claimed conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are etiologically related to his active service, resolving doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with symptoms beginning during active duty. Service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to address his hearing loss, tinnitus, psychiatric disorder, and cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to improper scheduling of a video-conference hearing and incorrect notice of the hearing.

The Board has restored service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and granted entitlement to a TDIU based on the Veteran's PTSD. The Veteran is found unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and his initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus are both REMANDED to the RO/AMC.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as whether there was noise exposure during service. The case will be returned for these actions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated in service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for TMJ disorder and tinnitus, finding that there was no direct evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's conditions were aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining SSA records and providing supplemental medical comments. His claims of service connection are pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, residuals of frost bite, chronic depression, a nonspecific headache disability (claimed as chronic migraines), fatigue syndrome, and prostate cancer are all denied. The Veteran also had his PTSD rating increased to 30 percent effective July 27, 2006, but the claim for an earlier effective date is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a new VA examination.