Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2013

The Board has found that the Veteran's in-service exposure to significant acoustic trauma as a result of his active combat service in Vietnam is conceded. The Veteran contends that he incurred bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus during active service, but the VA examiner opined that there was no evidence of current disability due to bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus related to active service. The Board finds the July 2008 VA examination inadequate for purposes of adjudication.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus during service or within one year after separation. The VA examiner concluded that the current hearing loss and tinnitus are less likely related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling a VA examination to assess bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and readjudicating both issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus require additional development due to incomplete findings during a June 2008 audiology examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are causally related to his service, meeting the requirements for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for left ear hearing loss or bilateral tinnitus, as there is no evidence of a current disability during active duty and no medical nexus to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of hearing loss, tinnitus, low back disability, PTSD, bronchitis, right knee disability, left knee disability, or bilateral plantar fasciitis that had its onset during active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss did not develop during his first period of service and is not related to in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's tinnitus, however, is as likely as not related to his active duty.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus, and therefore cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete verification of his periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA service. The case will be returned to the Board after further development.

The Board has canceled two hearings scheduled for the Veteran and has now requested a video conference hearing due to the appellant's request. The appeal is being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of his military personnel records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA benefits, and service connection for a heart condition have been denied. The claim for higher rating for tinnitus is also denied as the highest schedular rating of 10 percent has already been assigned.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, and thus denied all of his claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, as they were likely due to age-related progressive hearing loss and noise exposure from work after service. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Board denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the current disabilities are not related to military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current tinnitus disability is causally related to his military service, and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred or aggravated in service and is less likely related to military noise exposure or physical altercation. The evidence does not support a nexus between the Veteran's tinnitus and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder, tinnitus, and hearing loss disability render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board grants the TDIU claim with resolution of reasonable doubt in his favor.