Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2013

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of current disabilities related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for varicose veins of the left leg. The Veteran's varicose veins are found to be related to his active duty service, and he is granted service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for tinnitus was denied, and his claims for new and material evidence regarding service connection for left ear hearing loss and right ear hearing loss were also denied. The assigned 10 percent rating for tinnitus is the maximum allowable by law.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus, including obtaining service personnel records and Social Security Administration records. The claims are being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal in its entirety at the October 2012 Board hearing.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to December 29, 2011 for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there was no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service until a February 7, 2012 VA examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, and remanded it for further development.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as the November 2008 VA examination did not provide a clear opinion on these issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied as there is no credible evidence of in-service noise exposure or continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board found no evidence of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus incurred during service and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and requests for additional evidence. The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has determined that the VA examination provided in November 2009 was inadequate and requires an addendum opinion to address the Veteran's statements regarding when his tinnitus began.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are causally related to active service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a TDIU evaluation that considers all service-connected disabilities, including bilateral knee disability, sensorineural hearing loss, and tinnitus. The case will also be reviewed to determine if an extraschedular rating is warranted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are incurred during active military service, resolving all doubt in his favor.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding new and material evidence. The Veteran now meets the criteria for service connection for bilateral hearing loss but not for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an updated VA opinion regarding the Veteran's tinnitus claim, as the current opinion does not account for the Veteran's reported occupational noise exposure and use of hearing protection.