Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The claims for a right lower lobe nodule and squamous cell carcinoma of the throat were denied as new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is at least as likely as not incurred during his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, with symptoms beginning during active duty. The criteria for presumptive service connection have been met.

The Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral hand/arm disability (claimed as due to cold injury) are found to be related to service. The acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD) is also found to be related to service.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied. The effective dates for the grants of service connection for these conditions remain August 31, 2010.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses from January 13, 2011 to January 17, 2011 are approved as part of his hospitalization for a nonservice-connected condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and headaches. The evidence did not show any in-service hearing loss or tinnitus, nor was there a showing of continuity of symptomatology after discharge. The VA examinations found no current disability related to service.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise on whether the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service. The claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown to be related to service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a current disability. The Board finds that the Veteran did not have bilateral hearing loss during service and does not meet the criteria for a current disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to assess the cumulative impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability, and to determine if he meets the criteria for a TDIU rating.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and assigned a noncompensable disability rating for right great toe gouty arthritis. The Veteran's claim of an increased rating for his right great toe gouty arthritis is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA examination for tinnitus.

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are attributable to his active military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by his service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, as his current diagnoses were not noted during service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus began during active service. The issue of bilateral hearing loss is addressed in the REMAND portion and is being remanded.

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, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to acoustic trauma during service and requires an additional VA examination to determine if his current hearing loss and tinnitus disorders are related to this exposure.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus can be decided. The Veteran's assertions of in-service noise exposure are being considered, along with any post-service noise exposure.