Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are related to his service, including exposure to loud noises during combat. The decision grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and interstitial lung disease. The claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder (COPD) is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a legible copy of the pre-induction examination and requesting an opinion from the VA examiner regarding the etiology of his hearing loss disability and tinnitus. The issue of service connection for PTSD will also be adjudicated.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus onset in service and is granting service connection for this condition. The issue of bilateral hearing loss remains pending as it does not involve a direct link to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and lung disorder (COPD and bronchial pneumonia) have been granted. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in relative equipoise regarding a causal link between these conditions and in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of various claimed conditions. The appellant's military service is also being reviewed to clarify her periods of active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids, a lumbar spine disorder, a cervical spine disorder and tinnitus are granted. The claim for an increased rating for residuals of a partial tear to the left medial collateral ligament is pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is not entitled to a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and does not meet the criteria for an increased rating for tinnitus. The maximum schedular ratings have been assigned.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, cancer, and an enlarged prostate were denied. The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for right ear hearing loss was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for an examination and opinion regarding his employability, as well as consideration of whether the criteria for extraschedular TDIU are met.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as an increased rating for right ear hearing loss. The case will be remanded to allow for further examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before a decision can be made on the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case is therefore REMANDED to obtain missing service treatment records, including the separation examination, and to schedule the Veteran for an appropriate VA examination.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to in-service noise exposure, with the exception of the hearing loss which is not presumed due to service. The claim for tinnitus is granted as it is at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral high frequency hearing loss. Resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, the criteria for establishing service connection have been met.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected, but his bilateral ear drainage is not. The Board found that the Veteran has no qualifying wartime military service or nonservice connected disabilities preventing him from working.

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss are at least as likely as not related to his service-connected right ankle disability. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to his military service, as evidenced by a lack of in-service noise exposure and no evidence of permanent damage from such exposure. The opinion concluded that the Veteran's late-onset hearing loss is more likely due to occupational and recreational noise exposure post-military.