Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2014

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence of onset during service or a causal relationship to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen them. The August 2009 rating decision is final.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for tinnitus, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, hypertension, a respiratory disability including lung nodules, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma, kidney cysts, and skin cancer due to incomplete records and procedural issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to address the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The examiner will need to provide opinions regarding whether these conditions are at least as likely due to noise exposure in service or some other cause.

The Veteran's tinnitus and PTSD have been granted service connection, with a rating of 50 percent for PTSD. The hearing loss claim is pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to incomplete records, including a lack of audiograms from his Army National Guard service. The Veteran is also asked to provide authorization for VA to obtain any additional private treatment records related to his claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not have their onset during service or within one year of separation, nor are they related to his military service. The claims for service connection for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's reported in-service noise exposure is sufficient to establish a link between his current tinnitus and service. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of hearing loss during or within one year after service.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown to be related to service, as there is no evidence of symptoms during or immediately following service. The Board finds that the current conditions are not attributable to service.

The Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown to be related to his military service, and the Board denied these claims based on a finding that they are not presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including depressive disorder and multiple foot disabilities, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board finds that the Veteran has tinnitus and had in-service exposure to noise, which is a recognized risk factor for developing tinnitus. The Veteran's credible assertions of continuous symptomatology since service are accepted as true, and reasonable doubt has been resolved in her favor.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are likely related to his military service, thus granting his claims for service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure during active service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a right foot injury, tinnitus, and sleep apnea have been dismissed. The Board has also determined that the Veteran is entitled to a 20 percent rating for residuals of prostate cancer.

The Veteran has established service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, but not right ear hearing loss. The Board finds no evidence of in-service hearing loss or tinnitus that could be related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are likely due to his exposure to noise during military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to outstanding records and an audiological examination.

The Board found no evidence of a wrist disability or tinnitus due to service, and thus denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private audiometry records and employer-administered hearing test results.