Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active duty 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 related to his active service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran. The decision grants service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is causally related to service, while his bilateral hearing loss is not. The claim for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that his preexisting conditions were aggravated by active duty service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected due to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a supplemental opinion from an audiologist regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's medical expenses at Shenandoah Medical Center from October 8 to October 9, 2010 are eligible for payment or reimbursement as the care was provided in an emergent situation and VA facilities were not feasibly available.

The Board has directed that the Veteran be provided with a VA examination to determine if his current bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus are related to service, specifically left ear infections in service or noise exposure. The case is remanded for this purpose.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, specifically tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, fracture of the left humerus with moderate deformity, fracture residuals of the left distal radius, and residual scar of a left eyebrow laceration have all been denied. The highest possible rating under applicable diagnostic codes has not been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, as he experienced it since separation from active duty. The hearing loss claim remains pending.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bronchitis, finding new and material evidence. The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have been incurred in service.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been found to be present in service and continues since then, warranting service connection. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a disability under VA regulations. The claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II remains pending.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Veteran's bilateral chondromalacia of the patella was first manifested in service and is presumed to be related to his active duty. The VA examiner found it less likely than not that the Veteran's current knee disorder is related to service.,The Veteran's low frequency, mixed hearing loss disability in the right ear was first manifested many years after separation from service and there is clear and unmistakable evidence against a finding that it is in any way related to service. The tinnitus is presumed to be due to exposure to sound of gunfire during combat.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of October 5, 2006 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus. The RO assigned a 10 percent disability evaluation for tinnitus effective October 5, 2007.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining a new medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and Social Security Administration disability benefits application records. A TDIU examination will also be scheduled.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's in-service exposure to gunfire and subsequent episodes of tinnitus symptoms have been reasonably demonstrated by the evidence of record.