Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2013

The Board finds that the appellant has current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, which are related to his active duty service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for a separate compensable disability rating for erectile dysfunction was withdrawn. The Veteran is granted entitlement to specially adapted housing due to his service-connected disabilities, but the grant of special home adaptation is dismissed as it conflicts with the eligibility criteria.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left heel disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to incomplete service treatment records, inadequate VA examinations, and the need for further development of the case.

The Board finds that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his noise exposure during his period of active military service, and grants service connection for tinnitus.

The VA determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as evidenced by normal hearing tests at both entry and separation from service. The Board found the opinion of the January 2013 VA examiner to be adequate for adjudication purposes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone are not of such nature and severity as to prevent him from securing or following any substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service exposure, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran. The claims for service connection are granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations to assess his disability severity and impact on employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and any private records relevant to his claim. The case will be readjudicated after the development is completed.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran incurred tinnitus from service and has right ear hearing loss related to in-service noise exposure. Therefore, both conditions are granted as being related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to appear for a scheduled hearing. The issues of reopening service connection for bilateral hearing loss and entitlement to service connection for tinnitus are pending.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be as likely as not related to his active duty service, and the Board grants service connection for tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure on the flight line, resulting in a grant of service connection for both conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, as there is no evidence of in-service hearing problems or tinnitus. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service, granting him service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain an addendum medical opinion clarifying whether his service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.