Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The low back, right shoulder, and left knee conditions are also under review.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for tinnitus and finds that it is etiologically related to active service, granting the Veteran's petition to reopen.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss. The tinnitus claim was denied in a final May 1996 rating decision, but new and material evidence has been received to reopen this claim.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), adjustment disorder, and depressive disorder.,The Board also denied service connection for tinnitus.

The VA determined that the Veteran's tinnitus did not have its onset during service or is otherwise etiologically related to his active service, including in-service noise exposure. As a result, the claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and employment records, as well as a new examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and tinnitus. The effective date for service connection for PTSD will also be determined.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be incurred in service, while his claims for COPD and cold injuries of the upper extremities were denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are causally related to his military service, including exposure to noise during active duty.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is attributable to his military service. The remaining claims have been withdrawn due to the Veteran's request.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the current level of severity of the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, as well as a need for an updated VA examination. The issues of service connection for tinnitus and entitlement to an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss are also pending.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his service, including exposure to acoustic trauma during his time as an aviation mechanic. However, there is no evidence of left ear hearing loss in service or for many years after service, thus denying service connection for left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to have resulted from his in-service herbicide exposure. The Veteran's appeal of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus has been withdrawn.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as evidenced by normal hearing test results at enlistment and separation, and no complaints or treatment for these conditions during service. The VA examiner concluded that the disabilities more likely than not resulted from occupational noise exposure post-service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. After review of the evidence, including a private audiologist's opinion, the Board finds that these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for initial development and adjudication of his claim regarding CUE in a December 1986 rating decision, which denied service connection for hearing loss. The earlier effective date claims for tinnitus and hearing loss are also being reconsidered.

The Board has determined that the VA examination and opinion provided are inadequate, necessitating a remand to obtain another VA examination with a different examiner.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU prior to August 31, 2010. From that date onward, the criteria were met.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing hearing loss did not worsen during service and there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure.