Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2014

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus and psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The Board found that there is no evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus did not manifest in service or for many years thereafter, and are unrelated to service. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's current diagnosis of tinnitus is linked to in-service noise exposure, and the Board finds his testimony credible regarding continuity of symptoms since service. Therefore, service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have service connection for bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus. However, the Board finds in favor of granting service connection for tinnitus and denying TDIU due to the lack of a current disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various hand and wrist disabilities, as well as a left shoulder disability. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred during active duty or National Guard service.

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

The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to noise exposure during his military service, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted the claim to reopen service connection for hearing loss and remanded the issue of service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and shell fragment wound to the neck, muscle group XXIII were denied as there is no legal basis for an increase in these disability evaluations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and any relevant FTCA lawsuit records. The Veteran's claims for service connection reopening, compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for tinnitus and hearing loss will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective from October 20, 2002 due to his service-connected disabilities. The effective date was determined based on the earliest date of receipt of a claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus can be decided.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with no indication of intercurrent causes. Service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus is not related to his service, and thus denied this claim. The psychiatric disorder issue remains on appeal as it involves an acquired psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be incurred in service, resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his service, with the benefit of doubt given in favor of the Veteran. However, there is no evidence linking peripheral artery disease to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's ability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, specifically PTSD and tinnitus. The claim is also being remanded for obtaining post-January 2012 treatment records from the Dallas VA Medical Center.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, including noise exposure. As a result, both conditions have been granted service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the current conditions are likely as not related to noise exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have had its onset during service, and thus service connection for tinnitus is granted.