Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2013

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to noise trauma during active duty for training (ACDUTRA) service, and grants these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is a result of in-service acoustic trauma and is currently present, thus granting service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for non-service-connected disability pension benefits was granted effective June 15, 2006. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for an earlier effective date due to his employment status and medical conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active military service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional VA audiological examination and consideration of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hearing loss disability of the right ear had its onset in active service and grants service connection for this condition. The claims for hearing loss disabilities of the left ear and tinnitus are remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of a current disability related to service. The Veteran's STRs did not show any hearing loss or tinnitus during service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and hemorrhoids, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his period of active service. Service connection for a low back disorder is remanded as further examination is needed.

The Board has determined that a new examination is necessary for the Veteran's right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and cervical dystonia claims due to the passage of time since the last VA examinations. The Veteran's service connection claims are also remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his cervical dystonia.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for a new VA medical opinion regarding noise exposure during active duty service.

The Board has determined that the VA audiological examinations are inadequate and remands the case for further development, including obtaining a supplemental opinion or providing the Veteran with a new VA audiological examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions in the July 2009 VA examination. A new opinion is needed from a qualified clinician regarding the relationship between the Veteran's military service, including noise exposure, and his current hearing disorders.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, as there was no evidence of chronic disease during or within one year after service. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's hearing loss is not related to noise exposure in service.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise on whether the Veteran's tinnitus is related to noise exposure during his active military service, and thus grants service connection for tinnitus.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military noise exposure during service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disorder and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there is no credible evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service. The claim for service connection for both conditions was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, hearing loss, and headaches have been denied as new and material evidence has not been submitted.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is reopened based on the submission of new and material evidence. The remaining issues remain denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, a low back disorder, bilateral tinea pedis, and tinea cruris have no in-service disease or injury to which they may be related.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are considered one disability rated as 60 percent disabling, which meets the criteria for a TDIU. The Board has remanded the case to obtain an updated opinion regarding the Veteran's employability.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for further development of the claims.